The authors evaluated in an open pilot study the wellbeing of parents of psychotic children. The investigated sample comprised 47 parents aged 36.3 ± 4.3 years which was divided into two groups. The first group comprised 20 parents of autistic children and the second group 27 parents of schizophrenic children. The wellbeing of the parents was evaluated by means of a WHO questionnaire at the time of the child’s admission to hospital, during hospitalization and after discharge into domiciliary care. The authors found a low level of wellbeing. The wellbeing was worst at the time of admission to hospital. During hospitalization of the children the parents’ wellbeing improved significantly. After discharge into domiciliary care the parents’ wellbeing declined but was higher than at the time of admission. Psychotic disorders of the child cause deterioration of the parents’wellbeing. The authors discuss the relationship between the parents’ wellbeing and the duration, intensity, dynamics of changes of the psychopathological symptomatology of the child. Investigation of the wellbeing of the parents of psychotic children is important in practice. Management of children with psychotic disorders must be extended by management of their parents, incl. psychotherapy and education.

        Key words: quality of life, wellbeing, family, psychotic child