Copyright © eContent Management Pty Ltd. Contemporary Nurse (2014) 46(2): 142–147.
Editorial Supporting parents and parenting: An overview of data-based papers recently published in Contemporary Nurse Debra Jackson, Tamara Power, Sue Dean, Ingrid Potgieter and Michelle Cleary* Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia; *Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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urses have a crucial role in play in supporting parents and in delivering and referring parents to family-support services. In this editorial, we reflect on papers recently published in Contemporary Nurse. We sought to consider data-based papers on parenting published between 2008 and 2012 and elucidate the role/s and potential roles of nurses in enhancing and supporting parenting. Parenting is recognized as a crucial variable for achieving positive outcomes for children (Dawson, Jackson, & Nyamathi, 2012). Poor, inconsistent or abusive parenting is linked to poor outcomes (Griffin, Botvin, Scheier, Diaz, & Miller, 2000; Holt, Buckley, & Whelan, 2008; Patterson, DeBaryshe, & Ramsey, 1989), while consistent and effective parenting is associated with enhanced child outcomes (Lamb, 2012; Landry, Smith, Swank, Assel, & Vellet, 2001). In addition to being important to outcomes for children, perceived parenting quality is also important to parents themselves. Disrupted relationships between parents and their children have been identified as distressing and potentially damaging to both parties (East, Jackson, & O’Brien, 2006, 2007; Jackson, 2000; Power, 2012). It is proposed that women position their relationships with others as central to their sense of self and wellbeing (Kayser & Sormanti, 2002). Women evaluating themselves through their capacity to nurture others can have significant consequences for their sense of self if that capacity is disrupted. Indeed, women’s self-esteem can be intrinsically linked to how well they feel they fulfill the mothering role (Forssén & Carlstedt, 2008; Jackson, 2000; Jackson & Mannix, 2003). However, the actual experience of mothering can be vastly different to the prescribed ideal, and this can lead to women feeling that they do not meet the standards required for good parenting
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(Andrews, 2002; Liamputtong, 2006; Malacrida, 2009). This lack of fit between the ideal and reality has been attributed to causing women guilt and shame, stress, fatigue and mental and physical illnesses (Rizzo, Schiffrin, & Liss, 2012; Sutherland, 2010). Similarly for fathers, illness can disrupt their self-esteem connected to the fathering role, and their ability to parent their children. However, there may be gender specific considerations as men are more prone to view the disruption in terms of how it effects their ability to provide for their family (O’Neill, McCaughan, Semple, & Ryan, 2013). Disruption to parenting for men can also occur during marriage break-down (Mandel & Sharlin, 2006), or be associated with other factors such as substance abuse and depression (BronteTinkew, Moore, Mathews, & Carrano, 2007). Thirteen data-based papers with a focus on parenting were published in Contemporary Nurse between 2008 and 2012. Studies were from Australia (N = 8), Canada (N = 2), Hong Kong (N = 1), New Zealand (N = 1), and one was a review by Australian authors of 11 evaluation-based studies of parenting (mostly from the US and UK). The majority of studies were qualitative, drawing on either individual or group interview-based (N = 9) or reported responses from surveys or structured interviews (N = 3). Sample size varied from 4–111, and the larger sample size (>100) involved thematic content analysis of qualitative questionnaire responses. In some cases, findings reported were part of larger studies (see for example Power, Jackson, Weaver, & Carter, 2011; Halle, et al., 2008). Regarding the aims of the papers, most involved engaging, and supporting parents or parenting programs (N = 10), or were specific to challenges to parenting (e.g., medically d iagnosed severe
© eContent Management Pty Ltd Examines the childbirth experiences of African– Canadian women
Looks at parents’ Qualitative N = 109 perspectives of residential early parenting facilities
‘Becoming a mother: The meaning of childbirth for African–Canadian women’ (Etowa, 2012) Canada
‘Parent satisfaction with early parenting residential services: A telephone interview study’ (Fowler et al., 2012) Australia
Questionnaires providing both quantitative and qualitative data, N = 22
Qualitative N = 12
‘Supporting fathers in the transition to Explores new fathers’ parenthood’ (Halle et al., 2008) Australia beliefs and expectations about impending fatherhood and parenting
Evaluates nurses’ ‘Community child health (CCH) experience of home visits nurses’ experience of home visits for new mothers: A quality improvement for new mothers project’ (Henderson, 2009) Australia
Qualitative N = 8
Explores Chinese parents’ Qualitative N = 12 experiences of care-giving to a child with ADHD at home
‘Parents’ perceptions of care-giving to a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: An exploratory study’ (Ho, Chien, & Wang, 2011) Hong Kong
Volume 46, Issue 2, February 2014
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(Continued)
Four themes were identified: 1. Concept of the illness 2. Barriers to child care in ADHD 3. Psychological effects in care-giving, including worry and anxiety, anger and hostility, and abandonment and discrimination 4. Positive aspects of care-giving including personal growth as a result of the care-giving process, and learning new strategies and effective parenting methods Five themes were identified: 1. A sense of responsibility 2. Childbirth as a positive life event 3. The uniqueness of childbirth as a life experience (tacit knowledge) 4. Childbirth as a spiritual event 5. Childbirth as a bittersweet paradox Four themes were identified: 1. Greater confidence 2. Greater knowledge about their babies 3. Changing expectations of parenting 4. Sustainability of parenting skills Main findings: Fathers’ high level of involvement in day-to-day infant care The dilemma of balancing their role as main financial supporter, father and husband A lack of professional and interpersonal support available to fathers A small number of fathers continued to struggle to establish a secure connection with their babies Three themes were identified: 1. Finding out about home visits, including scheduling first home visits and making the first phone call 2. Staying safe during home visits, including managing high risk clients and scheduling subsequent visits 3. Building positive partnerships with clients during home visits
Approach and sample size Findings
Aim
Title/author/country
Table 1: Data-based papers published in Contemporary Nurse on parenting 2008–2012
Supporting parents and parenting
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‘Supporting depressed mothers at home: Their views on an innovative relationshipbased intervention’ (Rossiter, Flower, McMahon, & Kowalenko, 2012) Australia ‘What works to engage young parents into services? Findings from an appreciative inquiry workshop’ (Taylor et al., 2012) Australia
Explores distressed or depressed mothers’ views on a relationship-based home-visit intervention Reports on findings from a workshop on ways to engage young parents in parenting support programs
Investigates experiences ‘Compulsory participation in a child of parents attending a protection and family enhancement program: Mothers’ experiences’ (Kelleher, compulsory tertiary-level child protection program Cleary, & Jackson, 2012) Australia Analyzes the parental ‘Parenting a child with medically experiences of caring diagnosed severe food allergies in for a child with medically New Zealand: The experience of being diagnosed severe food unsupported in keeping their children allergies healthy and safe’ (McBride, McBrideHenry, & van Wissen, 2010) New Zealand Reviews evaluation-based ‘The development of a parenting studies of parenting program for incarcerated mothers in programs for prisoners Australia: A review of prison-based parenting programs’ (Newman, Flower, & Cashin, 2011) Australia Examines mothers’ ‘Social support for mothers in illness: A multifaceted phenomenon’ (Power et al., experiences of illness and the social support they 2011) Australia received
Title/author/country
Table 1: Continued
Most social support came from parents and family members, in the form of childcare Social support that was accessible was not always acceptable Concern that maternal bonds could be affected if someone else took over as the primary carer of their child Support and validation in the mothering role allowed the women to have a more positive outlook and improved coping skills Nurses’ role: Reassure ill mothers that positive social support can help their mothering. Help identify sources of social support Participants valued the support and personal attention they received, and the confidence and understanding of their infant that they developed
Qualitative N = 27
Qualitative N = 40
Service and staff characteristics affected initial interest in parenting support programs Services that provided choices and fulfilled young mothers’ expressed needs helped maintain engagement and involvement Content, presentation and environment were important elements to emphasize when advertising parenting support programs
Parenting programs have the potential to improve parenting skills, knowledge and confidence of prisoners
Program review N = 11
Questionnaires providing both quantitative and qualitative data, N = 111
Three themes were identified: 1. The experience of isolation 2. The burden of accessing resources 3. The cost of living with medically diagnosed severe food allergies
Participation in the program allowed social interaction, learning parenting skills, and a source of help and support
Qualitative N = 4
Qualitative N = 6
Approach and sample size Findings
CN Debra Jackson et al.
© eContent Management Pty Ltd
To understand the Qualitative N = 13 experiences of young rural men, and their families, who cope with emergent mental health problems ‘Experiences of families who help young rural men with emergent mental health problems in a rural community in NSW, Australia’ (Wilson, Cruickshank, & Lea, 2012)
Rural health systems do not facilitate mental health promotion and interventions
Examines how service Qualitative N = 21 providers’ perceptions of Aboriginal women’s identities affect their experiences accessing care during pregnancy and parenting ‘Identity matters: Aboriginal mothers’ experiences of accessing health care’ (Van Herk, Smith, & Andrew, 2011) Canada
Service providers’ perceptions of Aboriginal women as mothers affected Aboriginal women’s positive and negative experiences of accessing healthcare Negative experiences were the result of paternalistic attitudes of healthcare providers Positive experiences were those where service providers positively acknowledged their identity, recognized their historical experiences and current context of living, and provided support and care Unpredictability of social discomfort exists for young men and their families Parents struggle to find help for their sons
Supporting parents and parenting
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food allergies, rural settings or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) (N = 3). From new families through families dealing with ill children and ones with emergent mental health problems to families within marginalized communities, the challenges families face are as numerous as they are diverse. The vulnerability of parents is highlighted, and many of the papers (McBride et al., 2010; Rossiter et al., 2012; Taylor et al., 2012) reported on the positive effects when nurses worked with parents and families, developing strategies to access and engage support. Indeed, the papers reviewed were overwhelming in their evidence of nurses’ crucial role in supporting parents and parenting. Melrose (2010) proposed increasing the public’s awareness of health issues such as postpartum depression in fathers as an important role of a nurse. When nurses work to increase awareness of screening and treatment initiatives and demystifying the disorder new fathers and family members are better able to seek the help they need. Whilst home visits by nurses were seen as important to support families particularly in the earliest years of a child’s life (Henderson, 2009), Taylor et al. (2012) and Halle et al. (2008) emphasized the value of support programs run by health (and welfare) professionals, albeit acknowledging the need to develop strategies to engage and sustain, particularly young people, in the programs. Kelleher et al. (2012) explored the experiences of a particularly challenging and socially marginalized group – mothers in a family enhancement program because of child safety issues. These findings stressed the crucial role of trust, and how any perceived betrayal of that trust can damage the therapeutic connection between women as mothers, and their professional helpers. In preparing nurses, education providers need to focus on the requisite knowledge and skills to enable provision of effective support to parents and families. There is a need for nurses to have knowledge of child development and effective parenting practices (Rossiter et al., 2012). In supporting families and particularly parents, nurses should be aware of appropriate support services and networks and how p arents can access them (Power et al., 2011). Of course, it is not enough to have this knowledge: Nurses must be able to impart it effectively in order to assist parents and families (Henderson, 2009;
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McBride et al., 2010). Interpersonal skills such as empathy and reflective practice are important, as is enhancing nurses’ understanding and perceptions of marginalized and oppressed populations (Van Herk et al., 2011). The majority of papers identified accessing and engaging with support as a major barrier for many families. Nurses can potentially play an important role in facilitating more positive outcomes in this area. This brief overview draws attention to the many roles nurses have in supporting families and in designing and delivering innovative programs to parents and families. Furthermore, though some of the interventions reported do not have direct nursing involvement, the insights revealed in these papers have the potential to contribute to nursing practice by providing greater insight into the needs of parents, and into the possibilities around supporting them. There is clearly a capacity for nurses to continue to develop and deliver helpful supportive programs to parents, thus making a crucial contribution to stronger families and better outcomes for parents and their children. References Andrews, M. (2002). Memories of mother: Counternarratives of early maternal influence. Narrative Inquiry, 12(1), 7–27. Bronte-Tinkew, J., Moore, K., Mathews, G., & Carrano, J. (2007). Symptoms of major depression in a sample of fathers of infants: Sociodemographic correlates and links to father involvement. Journal of Family Issues, 28(1), 61–99. Dawson, A., Jackson, D., & Nyamathi, A. (2012). Children of incarcerated parents: Insights to addressing a growing public health concern in Australia. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(12), 2433–2441. East, L., Jackson, D., & O’Brien, L. (2006). Disrupted relationships: Adult daughters and father absence. Contemporary Nurse, 23(2), 252–261. East, L., Jackson, D., & O’Brien, L. (2007). I don’t want to hate him forever: Understanding daughters experiences of father absence. The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24(4), 14–18. Etowa, J. B. (2012). Becoming a mother: The meaning of childbirth for African-Canadian women. Contemporary Nurse, 41(1), 28–40. Forssén, A., & Carlstedt, G. (2008). ‘You really do something useful with kids’: Mothering and experienced health and illness in a group of elderly Swedish
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women. Health Care for Women International, 29(10), 1019–1039. Fowler, C., Rossiter, C., Maddox, J., Dignam, D., Briggs, C., Deguio, A.-L., & Kookarkin, J. (2012). Parent satisfaction with early parenting residential services: A telephone interview study. Contemporary Nurse, 43(1), 64–72. Griffin, K. W., Botvin, G., Scheier, L., Diaz, T., & Miller, N. (2000). Parenting practices as predictors of substance use, delinquency, and aggression among urban minority youth: Moderating effects of family structure and gender. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 14(2), 174–184. Halle, C., Dowd, T., Fowler, C., Rissel, K., Hennessy, K., MacNevin, R., & Nelson, M. A. (2008). Supporting fathers in the transition to parenthood. Contemporary Nurse, 31(1), 57–70. Henderson, S. (2009). Community Child Health (CCH) nurses’ experience of home visits for new mothers: A quality improvement project. Contemporary Nurse, 34(1), 66–76. Ho, S.-W. C., Chien, W. T., & Wang, L.-Q. (2011). Parents’ perceptions of care-giving to a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: An exploratory study. Contemporary Nurse, 40(1), 41–56. Holt, S., Buckley, H., & Whelan, S. (2008). The impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and young people: A review of the literature. Child Abuse and Neglect, 32(8), 797–810. Jackson, D. (2000). Understanding women’s health through Australian women’s writings: A feminist exploration. (Doctor of Philosophy thesis). The Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA. Jackson, D., & Mannix, J. (2003). Mothering and women’s health: I love being a mother but … there is always something new to worry about. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 20(3), 30–37. Kayser, K., & Sormanti, M. (2002). Identity and the illness experience: Issues faced by mothers with cancer. Illness, Crisis, & Loss, 10(1), 10–26. Kelleher, L., Cleary, M., & Jackson, D. (2012). Compulsory participation in a child protection and family enhancement program: Mothers’ experiences. Contemporary Nurse, 41(1), 101–110. Lamb, M. (2012). Mothers, fathers, families, and circumstances: Factors affecting children’s adjustment. Applied Developmental Science, 16(2), 98–111. Landry, S. H., Smith, K. E., Swank, P. R., Assel, M. A., & Vellet, S. (2001). Does early responsive parenting have a special importance for children’s development or is consistency across early childhood necessary? Developmental Psychology, 37(3), 387–403.
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Supporting parents and parenting Liamputtong, P. (2006). Motherhood and “moral career”: Discourses of good motherhood among southeast Asian immigrant women in Australia. Qualitative Sociology, 29(1), 25–53. Malacrida, C. (2009). Performing motherhood in a disablist world: Dilemmas of motherhood, femininity and disability. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 22(1), 99–117. Mandel, S., & Sharlin, S. (2006). The non-custodial father: His involvement in his children’s lives and the connection between his role and the ex-wife’s, child’s and father’s perception of that role. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 45(1–2), 79–95. McBride, C., McBride-Henry, K., & van Wissen, K. (2010). Parenting a child with medically diagnosed severe food allergies in New Zealand: The experience of being unsupported in keeping their children healthy and safe. Contemporary Nurse, 35(1), 77–87. Melrose, S. (2010). Paternal postpartum depression: How can nurses begin to help? Contemporary Nurse, 34(2), 199–210. Newman, C., Fowler, C., & Cashin, A. (2011). The development of a parenting program for incarcerated mothers in Australia: A review of prison-based parenting programs. Contemporary Nurse, 39(1), 2–11. O’Neill, C., McCaughan, E., Semple, C., & Ryan, A. (2013). Fatherhood and cancer: A commentary on the literature. European Journal of Cancer Care, 22(2), 161–168. Patterson, G., DeBaryshe, B., & Ramsey, E. (1989). A developmental perspective on antisocial behavior. The American Psychologist, 44(2), 329–335.
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Power, T. (2012). Disrupted mothering: A drama in four acts (PhD thesis). University of Western Sydney, Penrith. Power, T., Jackson, D., Weaver, R., & Carter, B. (2011). Social support for mothers in illness: A multifaceted phenomenon. Contemporary Nurse, 40(1), 27–40. Rizzo, K. M., Schiffrin, H. H., & Liss, M. (2012). Insight into the parenthood paradox: Mental health outcomes of intensive mothering. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 22, 614–620. Rossiter, C., Fowler, C., McMahon, C., & Kowalenko, N. (2012). Supporting depressed mothers at home: Their views on an innovative relationship-based intervention. Contemporary Nurse, 41(1), 90–100. Sutherland, J. (2010). Mothering, guilt and shame. Sociology Compass, 4(5), 310–321. Taylor, C., Mills, A., Schmied, V., Dahlen, H., Shuiringa, W., & Hudson, M. E. (2012). What works to engage young parents into services? Findings from an appreciative inquiry workshop. Contemporary Nurse, 42(2), 258–271. Van Herk, K., Smith, D., & Andrew, C. (2011). Identity matters: Aboriginal mothers’ experiences of accessing health care. Contemporary Nurse, 37(1), 57–68. Wilson, R. L., Cruickshank, M., & Lea, J. (2012). Experiences of families who help young rural men with emergent mental health problems in a rural community in New South Wales, Australia. Contemporary Nurse, 42(2), 167–177.
N O W AVA I L A B L E Parenting Around the World A special issue of Journal of Family Studies – Volume 15 Issue 3 – 132 pages – ISBN 978-1-921348-81-5 – December 2009 Editors: Lawrie Moloney and Pranee Liamputtong (School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne) Editorial: Parenting around the world: Plus ça change – Lawrie Moloney Parent-centered parenting values among Latino immigrant mothers – Candice Fischer, Elizabeth A Harvey and Patricia Driscoll Guest Editorial: Preservation of life and maintenance of health and wellbeing of children: A common value among parents around the Walk a mile in my shoes: Researching the lived experience of mothers world – Pranee Liamputtong of children with autism – Jessica Gill and Pranee Liamputtong Motherhood, risk and responsibility: Infant care in Northern Thailand Book reviews – Pranee Liamputtong Keeping Kids in Mind – A DVD for Separating/Separated Parents Welcome to Holland: Characteristics of resilient families raising children – Developed by the Family Services Directorate of CatholicCare with severe disabilities – Thomas Knestricht and Debora Kuchey – Reviewed by Ross Butler Adaptability and cohesion of Greek families: Raising a child with a Network On A Stick – Francesca Gerner and Jane Kelson – Reviewed severe disability on the island of Rhodes – Assimina Tsibidaki and by Walter Ibbs Anastasia Tsamparli Pedagogies: Storylines and Storyspaces – Jennifer M Nayler – Personal, familial and environmental perspectives in children’s Reviewed by Gill Best reactions to parental divorce in South Africa – Olaniyi Bojuwoye and Foundations of Psychological Thought: A History of Psychology – Orok Akpan Barbara Gentile and Benjamin Miller (Eds) – Reviewed by Bob Paddle Influence of intimate partner violence on behaviour, psychological The Bullies: Understanding Bullies and Bullying – Dennis Lines – status and school performance of children in Sri Lanka – Reviewed by Barry M Rogers Stephnie Jayasinghe, Pushpa Jayawardena and Hemamali Perera Re-Visioning Family Therapy: Race, culture, and gender, in clinical Impact of domestic violence on the psychological wellbeing of children practice (2nd edn) – Monica McGoldrick and Kenneth Hardy (Eds) – Reviewed by Jo Grimwade in Iran – Masoumeh Ghasemi http://jfs.e-contentmanagement.com/archives/vol/15/issue/3/marketing/
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Editorial Supporting parents and parenting: An overview of data-based papers recently published in Contemporary Nurse Debra Jackson, Tamara Power, Sue Dean, Ingrid Potgieter and Michelle Cleary* Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia; *Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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urses have a crucial role in play in supporting parents and in delivering and referring parents to family-support services. In this editorial, we reflect on papers recently published in Contemporary Nurse. We sought to consider data-based papers on parenting published between 2008 and 2012 and elucidate the role/s and potential roles of nurses in enhancing and supporting parenting. Parenting is recognized as a crucial variable for achieving positive outcomes for children (Dawson, Jackson, & Nyamathi, 2012). Poor, inconsistent or abusive parenting is linked to poor outcomes (Griffin, Botvin, Scheier, Diaz, & Miller, 2000; Holt, Buckley, & Whelan, 2008; Patterson, DeBaryshe, & Ramsey, 1989), while consistent and effective parenting is associated with enhanced child outcomes (Lamb, 2012; Landry, Smith, Swank, Assel, & Vellet, 2001). In addition to being important to outcomes for children, perceived parenting quality is also important to parents themselves. Disrupted relationships between parents and their children have been identified as distressing and potentially damaging to both parties (East, Jackson, & O’Brien, 2006, 2007; Jackson, 2000; Power, 2012). It is proposed that women position their relationships with others as central to their sense of self and wellbeing (Kayser & Sormanti, 2002). Women evaluating themselves through their capacity to nurture others can have significant consequences for their sense of self if that capacity is disrupted. Indeed, women’s self-esteem can be intrinsically linked to how well they feel they fulfill the mothering role (Forssén & Carlstedt, 2008; Jackson, 2000; Jackson & Mannix, 2003). However, the actual experience of mothering can be vastly different to the prescribed ideal, and this can lead to women feeling that they do not meet the standards required for good parenting
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(Andrews, 2002; Liamputtong, 2006; Malacrida, 2009). This lack of fit between the ideal and reality has been attributed to causing women guilt and shame, stress, fatigue and mental and physical illnesses (Rizzo, Schiffrin, & Liss, 2012; Sutherland, 2010). Similarly for fathers, illness can disrupt their self-esteem connected to the fathering role, and their ability to parent their children. However, there may be gender specific considerations as men are more prone to view the disruption in terms of how it effects their ability to provide for their family (O’Neill, McCaughan, Semple, & Ryan, 2013). Disruption to parenting for men can also occur during marriage break-down (Mandel & Sharlin, 2006), or be associated with other factors such as substance abuse and depression (BronteTinkew, Moore, Mathews, & Carrano, 2007). Thirteen data-based papers with a focus on parenting were published in Contemporary Nurse between 2008 and 2012. Studies were from Australia (N = 8), Canada (N = 2), Hong Kong (N = 1), New Zealand (N = 1), and one was a review by Australian authors of 11 evaluation-based studies of parenting (mostly from the US and UK). The majority of studies were qualitative, drawing on either individual or group interview-based (N = 9) or reported responses from surveys or structured interviews (N = 3). Sample size varied from 4–111, and the larger sample size (>100) involved thematic content analysis of qualitative questionnaire responses. In some cases, findings reported were part of larger studies (see for example Power, Jackson, Weaver, & Carter, 2011; Halle, et al., 2008). Regarding the aims of the papers, most involved engaging, and supporting parents or parenting programs (N = 10), or were specific to challenges to parenting (e.g., medically d iagnosed severe
© eContent Management Pty Ltd Examines the childbirth experiences of African– Canadian women
Looks at parents’ Qualitative N = 109 perspectives of residential early parenting facilities
‘Becoming a mother: The meaning of childbirth for African–Canadian women’ (Etowa, 2012) Canada
‘Parent satisfaction with early parenting residential services: A telephone interview study’ (Fowler et al., 2012) Australia
Questionnaires providing both quantitative and qualitative data, N = 22
Qualitative N = 12
‘Supporting fathers in the transition to Explores new fathers’ parenthood’ (Halle et al., 2008) Australia beliefs and expectations about impending fatherhood and parenting
Evaluates nurses’ ‘Community child health (CCH) experience of home visits nurses’ experience of home visits for new mothers: A quality improvement for new mothers project’ (Henderson, 2009) Australia
Qualitative N = 8
Explores Chinese parents’ Qualitative N = 12 experiences of care-giving to a child with ADHD at home
‘Parents’ perceptions of care-giving to a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: An exploratory study’ (Ho, Chien, & Wang, 2011) Hong Kong
Volume 46, Issue 2, February 2014
CN
(Continued)
Four themes were identified: 1. Concept of the illness 2. Barriers to child care in ADHD 3. Psychological effects in care-giving, including worry and anxiety, anger and hostility, and abandonment and discrimination 4. Positive aspects of care-giving including personal growth as a result of the care-giving process, and learning new strategies and effective parenting methods Five themes were identified: 1. A sense of responsibility 2. Childbirth as a positive life event 3. The uniqueness of childbirth as a life experience (tacit knowledge) 4. Childbirth as a spiritual event 5. Childbirth as a bittersweet paradox Four themes were identified: 1. Greater confidence 2. Greater knowledge about their babies 3. Changing expectations of parenting 4. Sustainability of parenting skills Main findings: Fathers’ high level of involvement in day-to-day infant care The dilemma of balancing their role as main financial supporter, father and husband A lack of professional and interpersonal support available to fathers A small number of fathers continued to struggle to establish a secure connection with their babies Three themes were identified: 1. Finding out about home visits, including scheduling first home visits and making the first phone call 2. Staying safe during home visits, including managing high risk clients and scheduling subsequent visits 3. Building positive partnerships with clients during home visits
Approach and sample size Findings
Aim
Title/author/country
Table 1: Data-based papers published in Contemporary Nurse on parenting 2008–2012
Supporting parents and parenting
CN
143
144 Aim
CN
Volume 46, Issue 2, February 2014
‘Supporting depressed mothers at home: Their views on an innovative relationshipbased intervention’ (Rossiter, Flower, McMahon, & Kowalenko, 2012) Australia ‘What works to engage young parents into services? Findings from an appreciative inquiry workshop’ (Taylor et al., 2012) Australia
Explores distressed or depressed mothers’ views on a relationship-based home-visit intervention Reports on findings from a workshop on ways to engage young parents in parenting support programs
Investigates experiences ‘Compulsory participation in a child of parents attending a protection and family enhancement program: Mothers’ experiences’ (Kelleher, compulsory tertiary-level child protection program Cleary, & Jackson, 2012) Australia Analyzes the parental ‘Parenting a child with medically experiences of caring diagnosed severe food allergies in for a child with medically New Zealand: The experience of being diagnosed severe food unsupported in keeping their children allergies healthy and safe’ (McBride, McBrideHenry, & van Wissen, 2010) New Zealand Reviews evaluation-based ‘The development of a parenting studies of parenting program for incarcerated mothers in programs for prisoners Australia: A review of prison-based parenting programs’ (Newman, Flower, & Cashin, 2011) Australia Examines mothers’ ‘Social support for mothers in illness: A multifaceted phenomenon’ (Power et al., experiences of illness and the social support they 2011) Australia received
Title/author/country
Table 1: Continued
Most social support came from parents and family members, in the form of childcare Social support that was accessible was not always acceptable Concern that maternal bonds could be affected if someone else took over as the primary carer of their child Support and validation in the mothering role allowed the women to have a more positive outlook and improved coping skills Nurses’ role: Reassure ill mothers that positive social support can help their mothering. Help identify sources of social support Participants valued the support and personal attention they received, and the confidence and understanding of their infant that they developed
Qualitative N = 27
Qualitative N = 40
Service and staff characteristics affected initial interest in parenting support programs Services that provided choices and fulfilled young mothers’ expressed needs helped maintain engagement and involvement Content, presentation and environment were important elements to emphasize when advertising parenting support programs
Parenting programs have the potential to improve parenting skills, knowledge and confidence of prisoners
Program review N = 11
Questionnaires providing both quantitative and qualitative data, N = 111
Three themes were identified: 1. The experience of isolation 2. The burden of accessing resources 3. The cost of living with medically diagnosed severe food allergies
Participation in the program allowed social interaction, learning parenting skills, and a source of help and support
Qualitative N = 4
Qualitative N = 6
Approach and sample size Findings
CN Debra Jackson et al.
© eContent Management Pty Ltd
To understand the Qualitative N = 13 experiences of young rural men, and their families, who cope with emergent mental health problems ‘Experiences of families who help young rural men with emergent mental health problems in a rural community in NSW, Australia’ (Wilson, Cruickshank, & Lea, 2012)
Rural health systems do not facilitate mental health promotion and interventions
Examines how service Qualitative N = 21 providers’ perceptions of Aboriginal women’s identities affect their experiences accessing care during pregnancy and parenting ‘Identity matters: Aboriginal mothers’ experiences of accessing health care’ (Van Herk, Smith, & Andrew, 2011) Canada
Service providers’ perceptions of Aboriginal women as mothers affected Aboriginal women’s positive and negative experiences of accessing healthcare Negative experiences were the result of paternalistic attitudes of healthcare providers Positive experiences were those where service providers positively acknowledged their identity, recognized their historical experiences and current context of living, and provided support and care Unpredictability of social discomfort exists for young men and their families Parents struggle to find help for their sons
Supporting parents and parenting
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food allergies, rural settings or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) (N = 3). From new families through families dealing with ill children and ones with emergent mental health problems to families within marginalized communities, the challenges families face are as numerous as they are diverse. The vulnerability of parents is highlighted, and many of the papers (McBride et al., 2010; Rossiter et al., 2012; Taylor et al., 2012) reported on the positive effects when nurses worked with parents and families, developing strategies to access and engage support. Indeed, the papers reviewed were overwhelming in their evidence of nurses’ crucial role in supporting parents and parenting. Melrose (2010) proposed increasing the public’s awareness of health issues such as postpartum depression in fathers as an important role of a nurse. When nurses work to increase awareness of screening and treatment initiatives and demystifying the disorder new fathers and family members are better able to seek the help they need. Whilst home visits by nurses were seen as important to support families particularly in the earliest years of a child’s life (Henderson, 2009), Taylor et al. (2012) and Halle et al. (2008) emphasized the value of support programs run by health (and welfare) professionals, albeit acknowledging the need to develop strategies to engage and sustain, particularly young people, in the programs. Kelleher et al. (2012) explored the experiences of a particularly challenging and socially marginalized group – mothers in a family enhancement program because of child safety issues. These findings stressed the crucial role of trust, and how any perceived betrayal of that trust can damage the therapeutic connection between women as mothers, and their professional helpers. In preparing nurses, education providers need to focus on the requisite knowledge and skills to enable provision of effective support to parents and families. There is a need for nurses to have knowledge of child development and effective parenting practices (Rossiter et al., 2012). In supporting families and particularly parents, nurses should be aware of appropriate support services and networks and how p arents can access them (Power et al., 2011). Of course, it is not enough to have this knowledge: Nurses must be able to impart it effectively in order to assist parents and families (Henderson, 2009;
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McBride et al., 2010). Interpersonal skills such as empathy and reflective practice are important, as is enhancing nurses’ understanding and perceptions of marginalized and oppressed populations (Van Herk et al., 2011). The majority of papers identified accessing and engaging with support as a major barrier for many families. Nurses can potentially play an important role in facilitating more positive outcomes in this area. This brief overview draws attention to the many roles nurses have in supporting families and in designing and delivering innovative programs to parents and families. Furthermore, though some of the interventions reported do not have direct nursing involvement, the insights revealed in these papers have the potential to contribute to nursing practice by providing greater insight into the needs of parents, and into the possibilities around supporting them. There is clearly a capacity for nurses to continue to develop and deliver helpful supportive programs to parents, thus making a crucial contribution to stronger families and better outcomes for parents and their children. References Andrews, M. (2002). Memories of mother: Counternarratives of early maternal influence. Narrative Inquiry, 12(1), 7–27. Bronte-Tinkew, J., Moore, K., Mathews, G., & Carrano, J. (2007). Symptoms of major depression in a sample of fathers of infants: Sociodemographic correlates and links to father involvement. Journal of Family Issues, 28(1), 61–99. Dawson, A., Jackson, D., & Nyamathi, A. (2012). Children of incarcerated parents: Insights to addressing a growing public health concern in Australia. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(12), 2433–2441. East, L., Jackson, D., & O’Brien, L. (2006). Disrupted relationships: Adult daughters and father absence. Contemporary Nurse, 23(2), 252–261. East, L., Jackson, D., & O’Brien, L. (2007). I don’t want to hate him forever: Understanding daughters experiences of father absence. The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24(4), 14–18. Etowa, J. B. (2012). Becoming a mother: The meaning of childbirth for African-Canadian women. Contemporary Nurse, 41(1), 28–40. Forssén, A., & Carlstedt, G. (2008). ‘You really do something useful with kids’: Mothering and experienced health and illness in a group of elderly Swedish
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women. Health Care for Women International, 29(10), 1019–1039. Fowler, C., Rossiter, C., Maddox, J., Dignam, D., Briggs, C., Deguio, A.-L., & Kookarkin, J. (2012). Parent satisfaction with early parenting residential services: A telephone interview study. Contemporary Nurse, 43(1), 64–72. Griffin, K. W., Botvin, G., Scheier, L., Diaz, T., & Miller, N. (2000). Parenting practices as predictors of substance use, delinquency, and aggression among urban minority youth: Moderating effects of family structure and gender. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 14(2), 174–184. Halle, C., Dowd, T., Fowler, C., Rissel, K., Hennessy, K., MacNevin, R., & Nelson, M. A. (2008). Supporting fathers in the transition to parenthood. Contemporary Nurse, 31(1), 57–70. Henderson, S. (2009). Community Child Health (CCH) nurses’ experience of home visits for new mothers: A quality improvement project. Contemporary Nurse, 34(1), 66–76. Ho, S.-W. C., Chien, W. T., & Wang, L.-Q. (2011). Parents’ perceptions of care-giving to a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: An exploratory study. Contemporary Nurse, 40(1), 41–56. Holt, S., Buckley, H., & Whelan, S. (2008). The impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and young people: A review of the literature. Child Abuse and Neglect, 32(8), 797–810. Jackson, D. (2000). Understanding women’s health through Australian women’s writings: A feminist exploration. (Doctor of Philosophy thesis). The Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA. Jackson, D., & Mannix, J. (2003). Mothering and women’s health: I love being a mother but … there is always something new to worry about. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 20(3), 30–37. Kayser, K., & Sormanti, M. (2002). Identity and the illness experience: Issues faced by mothers with cancer. Illness, Crisis, & Loss, 10(1), 10–26. Kelleher, L., Cleary, M., & Jackson, D. (2012). Compulsory participation in a child protection and family enhancement program: Mothers’ experiences. Contemporary Nurse, 41(1), 101–110. Lamb, M. (2012). Mothers, fathers, families, and circumstances: Factors affecting children’s adjustment. Applied Developmental Science, 16(2), 98–111. Landry, S. H., Smith, K. E., Swank, P. R., Assel, M. A., & Vellet, S. (2001). Does early responsive parenting have a special importance for children’s development or is consistency across early childhood necessary? Developmental Psychology, 37(3), 387–403.
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Supporting parents and parenting Liamputtong, P. (2006). Motherhood and “moral career”: Discourses of good motherhood among southeast Asian immigrant women in Australia. Qualitative Sociology, 29(1), 25–53. Malacrida, C. (2009). Performing motherhood in a disablist world: Dilemmas of motherhood, femininity and disability. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 22(1), 99–117. Mandel, S., & Sharlin, S. (2006). The non-custodial father: His involvement in his children’s lives and the connection between his role and the ex-wife’s, child’s and father’s perception of that role. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 45(1–2), 79–95. McBride, C., McBride-Henry, K., & van Wissen, K. (2010). Parenting a child with medically diagnosed severe food allergies in New Zealand: The experience of being unsupported in keeping their children healthy and safe. Contemporary Nurse, 35(1), 77–87. Melrose, S. (2010). Paternal postpartum depression: How can nurses begin to help? Contemporary Nurse, 34(2), 199–210. Newman, C., Fowler, C., & Cashin, A. (2011). The development of a parenting program for incarcerated mothers in Australia: A review of prison-based parenting programs. Contemporary Nurse, 39(1), 2–11. O’Neill, C., McCaughan, E., Semple, C., & Ryan, A. (2013). Fatherhood and cancer: A commentary on the literature. European Journal of Cancer Care, 22(2), 161–168. Patterson, G., DeBaryshe, B., & Ramsey, E. (1989). A developmental perspective on antisocial behavior. The American Psychologist, 44(2), 329–335.
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Power, T. (2012). Disrupted mothering: A drama in four acts (PhD thesis). University of Western Sydney, Penrith. Power, T., Jackson, D., Weaver, R., & Carter, B. (2011). Social support for mothers in illness: A multifaceted phenomenon. Contemporary Nurse, 40(1), 27–40. Rizzo, K. M., Schiffrin, H. H., & Liss, M. (2012). Insight into the parenthood paradox: Mental health outcomes of intensive mothering. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 22, 614–620. Rossiter, C., Fowler, C., McMahon, C., & Kowalenko, N. (2012). Supporting depressed mothers at home: Their views on an innovative relationship-based intervention. Contemporary Nurse, 41(1), 90–100. Sutherland, J. (2010). Mothering, guilt and shame. Sociology Compass, 4(5), 310–321. Taylor, C., Mills, A., Schmied, V., Dahlen, H., Shuiringa, W., & Hudson, M. E. (2012). What works to engage young parents into services? Findings from an appreciative inquiry workshop. Contemporary Nurse, 42(2), 258–271. Van Herk, K., Smith, D., & Andrew, C. (2011). Identity matters: Aboriginal mothers’ experiences of accessing health care. Contemporary Nurse, 37(1), 57–68. Wilson, R. L., Cruickshank, M., & Lea, J. (2012). Experiences of families who help young rural men with emergent mental health problems in a rural community in New South Wales, Australia. Contemporary Nurse, 42(2), 167–177.
N O W AVA I L A B L E Parenting Around the World A special issue of Journal of Family Studies – Volume 15 Issue 3 – 132 pages – ISBN 978-1-921348-81-5 – December 2009 Editors: Lawrie Moloney and Pranee Liamputtong (School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne) Editorial: Parenting around the world: Plus ça change – Lawrie Moloney Parent-centered parenting values among Latino immigrant mothers – Candice Fischer, Elizabeth A Harvey and Patricia Driscoll Guest Editorial: Preservation of life and maintenance of health and wellbeing of children: A common value among parents around the Walk a mile in my shoes: Researching the lived experience of mothers world – Pranee Liamputtong of children with autism – Jessica Gill and Pranee Liamputtong Motherhood, risk and responsibility: Infant care in Northern Thailand Book reviews – Pranee Liamputtong Keeping Kids in Mind – A DVD for Separating/Separated Parents Welcome to Holland: Characteristics of resilient families raising children – Developed by the Family Services Directorate of CatholicCare with severe disabilities – Thomas Knestricht and Debora Kuchey – Reviewed by Ross Butler Adaptability and cohesion of Greek families: Raising a child with a Network On A Stick – Francesca Gerner and Jane Kelson – Reviewed severe disability on the island of Rhodes – Assimina Tsibidaki and by Walter Ibbs Anastasia Tsamparli Pedagogies: Storylines and Storyspaces – Jennifer M Nayler – Personal, familial and environmental perspectives in children’s Reviewed by Gill Best reactions to parental divorce in South Africa – Olaniyi Bojuwoye and Foundations of Psychological Thought: A History of Psychology – Orok Akpan Barbara Gentile and Benjamin Miller (Eds) – Reviewed by Bob Paddle Influence of intimate partner violence on behaviour, psychological The Bullies: Understanding Bullies and Bullying – Dennis Lines – status and school performance of children in Sri Lanka – Reviewed by Barry M Rogers Stephnie Jayasinghe, Pushpa Jayawardena and Hemamali Perera Re-Visioning Family Therapy: Race, culture, and gender, in clinical Impact of domestic violence on the psychological wellbeing of children practice (2nd edn) – Monica McGoldrick and Kenneth Hardy (Eds) – Reviewed by Jo Grimwade in Iran – Masoumeh Ghasemi http://jfs.e-contentmanagement.com/archives/vol/15/issue/3/marketing/
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