Furthering the understanding of parent-child relationships: A nursing scholarship review series. part 4: Parent-child relationships at risk

Abstract

PURPOSE. The purpose of this integrative review is to synthesize nursing scholarship on parent-child relationships considered fragile because of parent/child's chronic condition or occurrence within a risky context. CONCLUSIONS. Most reviewed studies demonstrated negative effects of risk conditions on parent-child relationships and documented importance of child, parent, and contextual variables. Studies were predominately single investigations. Varying theoretical perspectives complicated interpretation. Mainly White, middle-class, and small samples limited generalizability. Important areas for further research were identified. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Nurse researchers identified factors that may interfere with the parent-child relationship. Nurses are in a position to support families under these circumstances. © 2010, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.