Development of premature children: caregivers' understanding according to the Bioecological Theory

• Main Authors: Rayla Amaral Lemos, Maria de La Ó Ramallo Veríssimo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2015-12-01
• Series: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP
• Subjects: Desarrollo Infantil; Prematuro; Cuidadores; Familia; Enfermería Pediátrica
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0080-62342015000600898&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract OBJECTIVE Understanding the conceptions of premature children caregivers on child development and associated factors. METHOD An exploratory-descriptive qualitative study of 12 families with children under three years of age. Interviews were submitted to thematic content analysis, systematized into the categories of Bioecological Theory of Human Development: Process, Person, Context and Time, and in the Functional Development category. RESULTS There are concerns about impairment in the current and future development of a Person/child defined as fragile as a result of premature birth (Time dimension), minimized by the scope of observable competencies such as motor skills. The Context, especially family and health services, and Proximal Processes, described as one-way caregiver interactions, are considered determinants of development. Functional Development is considered a natural consequence and result of education. The support network is crucial, supporting or limiting care. CONCLUSION Concerns about the development mobilize caregivers to stimulate the premature child/person and requests family and healthcare assistance.