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Finnish Families' Need for Special Support as Evaluated by Public Health Nurses Working in Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics
Author(s) -
HäggmanLaitila Arja,
Euramaa KatriIna
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1046/j.1525-1446.2003.20410.x
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , public health , social support , welfare , nursing , social welfare , psychology , medicine , family medicine , psychiatry , social psychology , political science , law
The purpose of this study was to describe public health nurses' views of the everyday problems of families and their needs for special support. Seventy‐four nurses filled in a tripartite questionnaire. The needs varied by region and were seen in 4% to 23% of all families expecting a baby or with a child younger than 3 age in the nurses' clientele. Approximately one‐third of the families were considered to have a pressing need for support. More than half of families (54%) had difficulties coping with parenthood and family structure, almost one‐third (30%) with raising their children and with childcare, and nearly one‐third (27%) with their social network. In 20% of the families, the parents experienced problems relating to their relationship as a couple; 20% of the families had problems connected to the children's development, growth, and health; and in 19% of the families, the parents had health problems. Special needs were also caused by the parents' use of alcohol (15%) and by disputes over the children's custody and visiting rights (7%). The information provided by the study can be used in developing clinical services and the family work supporting them.