Resource-enhancing psychosocial support in family situations: needs and benefits from family members' own perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
This paper is a report of a study conducted to evaluate a resource-enhancing family nursing intervention to identify and meet mothers', fathers' and children's psychosocial support needs.


BACKGROUND
Although a family's resources are a central concept in nursing science, descriptions of the content of the concept and ways to enhance families' resources are scant. Studies have usually identified the need for support by families with children from the perspective of one family member, most often the mother.


METHODS
A total of 75 family members from 30 families with small children participated in the study in 2004-2005. The data were collected before and after intervention, using structured questionnaires called the Family Situation Barometer. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric Wilcoxon tests were used as statistical methods.


RESULTS
Participants' need for psychosocial support was reduced or alleviated during the family nursing intervention. The mental health of the mothers and fathers improved, as did their marital relationships and emotional lives. Furthermore, their social support networks increased and their employment situation improved. There were also positive changes in the mental health and sleep-related issues of the children.


CONCLUSIONS
The resource-enhancing family nursing proved to be useful in improving the well-being and health of family members. The Family Situation Barometer proved to be a practical tool in the home context and can supplement the instruments developed earlier in family nursing science. Research into supporting interpersonal and family-systems nursing remains a future challenge.
Tanninen
Hanna-Mari
HM
Social and Health Service, Health Service, Samaria Health Centre, City of Espoo, Finland.
Häggman-Laitila
Arja
A
Pietilä
Anna-Maija
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D022143:Family Nursing; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult