Discussion
The current results show that both elements of the
health status of one’s relatives and family burden repre-
sent an increased vulnerability to personal mental health
difficulties. Results partially support hypothesis one,
which proposed that elements of the family health pro-
file would represent a vulnerability to mental health dif-
ficulties. Specifically, the presence versus absence of a
mental health difficulty within the family was associated
with an increased likelihood of reporting a personal
mental health difficulty within the last 12 months. Re-
sults support hypothesis two, which proposed that family
burden would represent an elevated vulnerability to cli-
nical personal mental health difficulties. Personal and
sociodemographic factors were taken into consideration.
The increased vulnerability to personal mental health
difficulties among those with mental health difficulties
within their family are in line with existing research [13].
This stresses the recognised need to obtain further infor-
mation to inform health professionals and policy makers
concerning the provision of support services, which may
need to be targeted towards those with mental health
difficulties within their family. This finding may