Perceived barriers and facilitators for healthy behaviours among parents of adolescents receiving mental health care in a public hospital in Cape Town, South Africa: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: To explore the perceived barriers and facilitators for healthy behaviours among parents and caregivers of adolescents receiving mental health care in Cape Town, South Africa.

Method: Thirty-five qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with parents and caregivers of adolescents receiving mental health treatment by six facilitators matched for language. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: The participants were predominantly female (n = 28, 80%) and parents (n = 29, 83%) of the adolescents. Personal barriers to good health included unhealthy eating, substance use and physical inactivity. Environmental barriers were inherited medical conditions, the easy availability of unhealthy foods and the absence of recreational facilities in communities. Perceived facilitators to good health were parental role modelling, planning and preparing healthy meals, exercise opportunities providing by walking long distances to work, and doing physically demanding jobs and household chores.

Conclusion: Parents and caregivers are essential to adolescents’ healthy development as they may influence adolescent health behaviours. It is likely that the promotion of positive health behaviours may be achieved though family-based interventions.