Learning from children and youth: A qualitative study about the changes that young people identify through a positive parenting programme

Abstract

This article presents the results of an investigation regarding the perceptions of people participating in a programme on parental competencies for family reunification about the changes achieved through the same. This included the perceptions of children, adolescents, and their parents. A qualitative research was carried out based on thirteen focus groups comprising n=59 children and adolescents out of the total 135 programme participants. Contributions of the young persons allowed the identification of changes in (1) parental competency related to foster care measures, visits and contact during foster care; (2) parental competency related to family adjustment and parental role during the return home and (3) personal awareness about foster care and family members' reunification process. Additionally, two other concepts emerged, which are considered crosssectional to the process of foster care and family reunification: (4) the child-rights approach and (5) resources supporting parental education. The findings indicated the importance of resilience phases, communication skills and emotional competencies and attitude and awareness regarding the process of fostering and reuniting families.