9.3.3 A critical ethnomethodological study recognizing parenting strengths in vulnerable families (309)

Jane Caldwell, Outreach Nurse, Maternal Child Health Service, Maternal and Child Health Service, City of Wodonga, Australia, Wodonga, Victori, Australia janecaldwell@bigpond.com.au

Abstract:

Parenting is complex and rarely predictive. Parenting practices represent the intersection of multiple, interacting, and mutually dependent circumstances and parents must call upon multiple ways of knowing to enact the role of parenting. Every parent is different, each with their unique qualities and each facing different challenges in their parenting. Limited previous studies on parenting strenghts within vulnerable families have taken a 'deficit' approach, with vulnerable families being compared with what is considered the normative standard of high and middle class families. This critical ethnomethodological research sought to identify through critical analysis the parenting strengths of vulnerable families. This research approach was selected to examine the phenomena within its unique social setting as it is congruent with the current philosophies of nursing which incorporate the principles of holism and humanism. Two in-depth interviews with each of the 25 participants (families) were attended to collect the data. Participants included parents who had at least one child and were the primary caregivers of their children. The constant comparative method was used to analyze the data. Key findings from the study included a strengths-based approach that acknowledged and built upon a family’s existing skills and capacity for change was welcomed by these families and contributed to resilience. Working in collaborative partnerships with the families achieved positive family relationships. The familes sought a better future for their children and were extremely resourceful within their community. Vulnerable families were the true experts on their own needs. There is great variability in parenting within groups of society, and many vulnerable parents provide responsive, stimulating environments for their children. Moreover, this research study found that vulnerable families are best served when they are encouraged to enhance their own skills, rather than when decisions are made and solutions implemented for them.

Biography:

I am a registered nurse, registered midwife and a registered maternal and child health nurse. I have worked in a variety of settings including community health, nursing education, acute care and paediatrics. Over the past ten years I have been working as an outreach nurse with maternal and child health programs. My work has been with the most vulnerable families in the community. Since 2005, I have been working in a rural outreach maternal and child health program as the sole outreach nurse. During this time I have developed a program that embraces the principles of promoting effective partnerships with families and builds capacity in the community to ensure sustainable wellbeing. I am a PhD candidate with Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga Campus, in Australia. My thesis is concerned with identifying parenting strengths in vulnerable families.