For many families, fatherhood is built on daily routines, emotional presence, and a sense of stability. New research suggests that when fathers experience psychosis, those foundations can be deeply shaken, affecting not only their mental health but also their relationships with their children and their sense of identity as parents. The findings were published in Psychreg Journal of Psychology.
The study explored the lived experiences of Greek fathers who had experienced at least one episode of psychosis and were raising children. Psychosis is a severe mental health condition involving hallucinations, delusions, and disrupted thinking, and it is known to interfere with work, relationships, and everyday functioning. Far less is known about how it affects fatherhood, despite growing awareness of mental health issues in families.
Interviews with the fathers revealed that during acute episodes of psychosis, everyday family life often became unrecognisable. Symptoms such as hearing voices, intense fear, and withdrawal from reality made it difficult for fathers to engage with their children or even recognise their parental role. Ordinary responsibilities like listening, caring, or responding to a child’s needs could fade as the illness took over their attention and sense of control.
Several fathers described periods where their children felt distant or almost absent from their mental world. This was not due to a lack of care, but because psychosis narrowed their focus so intensely that family relationships slipped out of reach. In these moments, fatherhood was effectively suspended, leaving lasting feelings of confusion and loss once symptoms eased.
When the acute phase passed, many fathers reported overwhelming guilt and harsh self judgement. They questioned their worth as parents and worried about the long term impact of their illness on their children. These feelings reflect broader concerns seen in families affected by severe mental illness, including fears about relapse, stigma, and the ability to provide emotional security.
Yet the study also highlighted a more hopeful side of the father child relationship. Children were often described as a stabilising force, helping fathers reconnect with their identity as parents. Acceptance from children, simple expressions of closeness, and continued emotional bonds played an important role in recovery and resilience.
In some cases, children took on supportive roles, offering comfort and reassurance when their fathers were unwell. While this role reversal can raise concerns about emotional burden on young people, it also showed how strong family bonds can persist even during severe mental health crises. The presence of children helped some fathers maintain a sense of purpose and belonging during recovery.
The findings suggest that mental health services need to look beyond symptom management alone. Supporting fathers with psychosis may also require family focused approaches that recognise parenting roles, encourage open communication, and help children understand what is happening in age appropriate ways.
As conversations about mental health become more open, this research underlines the importance of seeing parents with psychosis not only as patients, but also as fathers whose family relationships can be both vulnerable and deeply meaningful.