Abstract

GOES, Ana Rita; CORTES, Maria  and  BARROS, Luísa. Parental concerns about their children's health and development: suggestions for the reorganization of well-child care. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2010, vol.11, n.2, pp.321-338. ISSN 1645-0086.

Developmental and behavioural disorders affect 12 to 16% of children. There are effective interventions to promote the wellbeing of both children and their families to reduce negative outcomes. The provision of appropriate developmental and behavioural services must be guided by family needs. Parental concerns are a reliable tool to evaluate children’s developmental and behavioural status and to make decisions regarding these services. This study explored parents’ concerns in a Portuguese health care setting. We used an interview, focusing on concerns about parenting and the child’s physical health, development, behaviour and interaction. When questioned in a systematic and standardized way, parents discussed concerns about their children’s development and behaviour, as well as the parental role. All parents had at least one concern about their child. Most parents expressed concerns about their child’s behaviour, particularly about discipline. We discuss implications for the provision of developmental and behavioural services within well­-child care.

Keywords : Developmental and behavioural problems; parental concerns; well­-child care.

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