Example of Assessing Parenting Capacity for a Parent with Depression

This chapter provides a complex case study that illustrates use of three instruments to assess aspects of parenting capacity where a mother is diagnosed with depression and a child is diagnosed with ADHD. The case is complicated as a child protection notification has been made. A Personality Assessment Inventory was used to assess the mother’s current mental state. A Parenting Capacity Instrument (PCI) was to assess parenting capacity. A MAPS instrument was used to assess parenting practices based on observations of interactions. The case study is presented in the form of a report to a lawyer. The principle of risk of cumulative harm is relevant in this case. The mother is assessed as displaying a low risk from major parental risk factors, and a low risk associated with parenting practices. A recommendation is made for reunification with supervision, on a condition that the mother participate in clinician-led therapy for herself that is coordinated with in-home parenting coaching.