Partnering with children diagnosed with mental health issues: contributions of a sociology of childhood perspective to participatory action research.
This paper explores the use of participatory action research (PAR) with children diagnosed with mental health issues. We argue that critiques from the sociology of childhood are useful for guiding PAR with children. First, we describe and critique values and assumptions that underlie research and practice with children who experience mental health issues. Second, we outline key qualities of the sociology of childhood, discuss their implications for PAR with children diagnosed with mental health issues, and touch on ethical issues. Five themes are explored: (a) values, (b) ontology/epistemology, (c) views about children, (d) agency/power in children's relationships with adults, and (e) intervention/change focus. We conclude by encouraging community psychologists to consider PAR with children diagnosed with mental health issues.
Liegghio
Maria
M
Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. lieg0067@wlu.ca
Nelson
Geoffrey
G
Evans
Scot D
SD
D000328:Adult; D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D003158:Community Psychiatry / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012962:Sociology, Medical / Q000379:methods