Author(s)

Ann-Marie Johansson, Inga Landahl, Annsofie Adolfsson

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Objective: The aim of this study was to provide insight into how the Child Healthcare Clinic (BVC) nurse supports and encourages the child’s bonding to their parents during the regularly scheduled checkups at the healthcare clinics. Method: The study was done using a qualitative approach. The data was collected from the interviews of four focus groups which were comprised of a total of eighteen BVC nurses who work solely for the BVC. The resulting data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The following theme emerged from the research material: Empower the parents in order to enable the child to have a healthy connection to the parents. This is accomplished by the BVC nurse building and creating a trusting relationship with the parents and providing support for them in their new roles as parents. The BVC nurses must have comprehensive knowledge about the needs and development of children and they need to have exceptional communication skills as well. It is also mandatory that the BVC nurse have access to cooperation and support from their colleagues and the support of other related professions. Conclusion: Providing support to parents during the bonding period of their infant children is a most important function for BVC nurses because there is much to be determined about children’s development and future possibilities during this formative period.

Child Health Care, Health Care Nurse, Support, Attachment, Trust

A. Johansson, I. Landahl and A. Adolfsson, "How the Health Care Nurse Supports and Enhances the Child’s Attachment to Their Parents," International Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol. 2 No. 4, 2011, pp. 418-428. doi: 10.4236/ijcm.2011.24070.