Background Home-visiting programs often aim to improve parenting skills, parent-child relationships, and children’s developmental outcomes for at-risk families. Although research has identified what elements of these interventions are effective when provided by professionals, little is known about effective …

Although first-time parents have a great need for effective support in the first challenging years of child upbringing, there is little research on volunteer-led parenting support programs in the context of the transition to parenthood. Therefore, this qualitative study examined the perceived value and …

In this paper we analyse “interconnected communication sequences” between Professional Foster Parents (PFPs) and Birth Parents (BPs) in family-style group care. Interconnected communication sequences are coherent sequences constructed by participants by use of multiple communication media. In family-style …

Purpose Parents with physical disabilities experience social marginalization, reflecting pervasive ableism and stigma. It is critical to understand their experiences related to parenting to develop targeted and supportive programs. The primary objective was to examine the extent of existing knowledge …

This dissertation describes the dynamics of motor competence (MC) development from early childhood (EC) to middle childhood (MCD). Being motor competent in early childhood creates a window of opportunity for taking part in physical activities later in childhood and adulthood. However, there is a worrying …

The study explored how chronic sorrow in parents of disabled children impacts everyday interactions between parents and professionals in caregiving contexts. Chronic sorrow, characterized by ongoing feelings of grief and loss in parents, related to their child’s disability, is increasingly recognized …

Chapter 1: General introduction. A specific group of people with disabilities includes individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). However, individuals with PIMD form a heterogeneous group regarding the origins of their underlying conditions leading to profound disabilities …

Pregnancy and early parenthood mark a transformative period where women become caregivers and assume a new role with new responsibilities. While often portrayed positively, the transition to motherhood can be overwhelming. This is especially true for women living in adverse circumstances, presenting …

Objective To obtain insights into parents' information needs during the first year at home with their very preterm (VP) born infant. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with parents of VP infants participating in a post-discharge responsive parenting intervention (TOP program). Online interviews …

Background and aim: Moderate preterm (MP) birth is associated with an increased risk of developmental problems. However, post-discharge support for this group is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a post-discharge parenting program (TOP program) for MP infants. Three feasibility …