Family’s childbearing challenges during transition to preschool: a qualitative study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21814/childstudies.5790

Keywords:

Family, early childcare education, focus group

Abstract

Background: Time spent with children positively influences their behaviour and cognitive development, benefiting families as well. However, not all families, especially those in developmental transitions, can interact with their children equally. Objective: This study aimed to explore and describe the families’ childbearing challenges during the children´s transition to preschool. Method: Education and health professionals, paired with families with three-year-old children, participated in two focus groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and content analysis followed Bardin's assumptions. Findings: Three categories emerged: "time to be a child," "time to be a family" (with subcategory "time for routine and roles"), and "time for external engagement" (e.g., childcare and health systems). Increased time commitments and managing children's demands were cited as primary challenges. Consistent information from external sources was deemed essential for family well-being. Conclusion: Childbearing during transition to preschool presents families time-related challenges, calling for family support tailored to address them.

Author Biographies

Rafaela Rosario, University of Minho

Rafaela Rosário (RR) is an associate professor at the School of Nursing, University of Minho, and a researcher at the Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E). She directs the Nursing Research Centre at the University of Minho. Since 2008, RR has advanced effective intervention programs, emphasizing co-development and cluster randomized trials, significantly contributing to obesity prevention and healthy behaviour promotion. Her research also explores the link between (digital) health literacy and health outcomes. RR's research includes health promotion reports and COVID-19 impacts on early childhood education. She is involved in networks like the Schools for Health in Europe (SHE) Network Foundation and the European Public Health Association, and she contributes to global health knowledge. Nationally, she participates in the Academic Network of Health Literacy and co-founded the Network Lusophone of Infodemiology.

Cláudia Augusto, University of Minho

Cláudia Augusto is a coordinator professor at the School of Nursing at the University of Minho and an integrated member of the Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from the Lisbon School of Nursing, a Master's degree in Family Health Nursing from UTAD, and a Ph.D. in Nursing Sciences from ICBAS-UP with a thesis entitled "Families of Children with Special Needs: Contributions of Early Intervention to Transdisciplinary Intervention." Cláudia Augusto collaborates with the students she supervises in various research groups focusing on health literacy, child and family health promotion, the family life cycle, and families with specific chronic conditions. She is also a member of the International Family Nursing Association.

Maria José Silva, University of Minho

Maria José Silva, an adjunct professor at the School of Nursing at the University of Minho, has been a Specialist in Child and Pediatric Health Nursing since 1997 and has a postgraduate degree in Family Health Nursing since 2006. She earned a Master's degree in Nursing Sciences in 2006 from the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute and underwent a curricular evaluation to receive the title of Nursing Specialist in 2013. She regularly participates in research groups focused on child and family health.

Ana Paula Macedo, University of Minho

Ana Paula Macedo is coordinator Professor, having chaired the ESE of UM (2017-2021). She began her career as a nurse in a hospital context of medicine and orthopedics. She has a PhD in Education, an area of Knowledge of School Organization and Administration, and a Master's degree, an area of specialization in Educational Organizations and Educational Administration, conferred by the IEP of UM. Holds the title of Specialist in Medical-Surgical Nursing, with advanced skills in Clinical Supervision and Specialist in Nursing. She has a Post-Doctorate, in the area of Nursing, by the University of São Paulo, EE, Brazil.

Conceição Rainho, University of UTAD

Conceição Rainho is a coordinator Professor at the School of Health (ESS) of UTAD. Holds a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from ESECP (1994), a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Porto (1999), and a Ph.D. in Nursing Sciences from the University of Porto (2014).

Linda Shields, Tropical Health Research Unit

Professor Linda Shields is Director of the Tropical Health Research Unit, a partnership between the College of Healthcare Sciences at James Cook University and Townsville Hospital and Health Service in Queensland, and Honorary Professor, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland. Her research includes family-centred care, health in tropical regions, paediatric perioperative nursing, and the ethics and history of nursing, in particular, in Nazi Europe.

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Published

12-07-2024

How to Cite

Rosario, R., Augusto, C., Silva, M. J. ., Macedo, A. P., Rainho, C., & Shields, L. (2024). Family’s childbearing challenges during transition to preschool: a qualitative study . Child Studies, (4), 71–88. https://doi.org/10.21814/childstudies.5790

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No. 4 (2024)

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