Young families under stress: assessing maternal and child well-being using a mixed methods approach
Child and Family Social Work 11 1 43-54
Available online: 16 January 2006
Abstract
Supporting parents has been reinforced as central to improving children’s lives. Assessment of needs, however, is crucial to the provision of effective support. This paper focuses upon the assessment of well-being of mothers and their children in 162 young families experiencing stress in south-east England and Northern Ireland. A mixed-methods approach to assessment was adopted and the strengths of using face-to-face interviews alongside standardized measures are explored.
Supporting parents has been reinforced as central to improving children’s lives. Assessment of needs, however, is crucial to the provision of effective support. This paper focuses upon the assessment of well-being of mothers and their children in 162 young families experiencing stress in south-east England and Northern Ireland. A mixed-methods approach to assessment was adopted and the strengths of using face-to-face interviews alongside standardized measures are explored.