Armstrong Jodie, Elliott Catherine, Davidson Emma, Mizen Joanne, Wray John, Girdler Sonya
School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Child Development Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia.
Aust Occup Ther J. 2021 Apr;68(2):144-155. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12708. Epub 2020 Nov 22.
Playgroups are community-based programs for children and families aiming to improve child outcomes, enhance family and community networks and increase parenting capacity. Despite the prevalence of playgroups in Australian communities there is a lack of research clearly articulating the key components of playgroups, specifically from the perspective of parents attending these groups. This study aimed to identify the key components of supported and therapeutic playgroups impacting on perceived effectiveness from the perspective of parents with a child with a developmental delay and/or disability.
This study explored the experiences of 23 parents attending supported or therapeutic playgroups using a qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach. Data were collected through three focus groups and seven individual interviews and analysed using Colaizzi's (1978) qualitative method of data analysis.
Findings indicated playgroup components that most strongly impacted on perceived effectiveness were feeling accepted; providing opportunities for child development, socialisation and enjoyment; and enhancing parental knowledge and skills. Findings reinforced the importance of family centred practice and facilitating peer support for families of children with developmental delay and/or disability.
Supported and therapeutic playgroups emerged as a valuable model for parents of children with developmental delays and/or disabilities but require an interplay of specific facilitator, parent and child characteristics to be effective. This study contributes to the understanding of key components of successful supported and therapeutic playgroup models, highlighting the importance of engaging consumers in developing evidence-based meaningful interventions for children with developmental delay and/or disabilities and their families.
亲子游戏小组是面向儿童及其家庭的社区项目，旨在改善儿童成长结果、加强家庭和社区网络并提高育儿能力。尽管亲子游戏小组在澳大利亚社区很普遍，但缺乏研究明确阐述其关键组成部分，特别是从参加这些小组的家长的角度。本研究旨在从有发育迟缓或残疾儿童的家长的角度，确定对支持性和治疗性亲子游戏小组感知有效性有影响的关键组成部分。
本研究采用定性解释现象学方法，探讨了23名参加支持性或治疗性亲子游戏小组的家长的经历。通过三个焦点小组和七次个人访谈收集数据，并使用科莱齐（1978）的定性数据分析方法进行分析。
研究结果表明，对感知有效性影响最大的亲子游戏小组组成部分是感到被接纳；提供儿童发展、社交和娱乐的机会；以及增强家长的知识和技能。研究结果强化了以家庭为中心的实践以及为发育迟缓或残疾儿童家庭促进同伴支持的重要性。
支持性和治疗性亲子游戏小组对发育迟缓或残疾儿童的家长来说是一个有价值的模式，但需要特定的促进者、家长和儿童特征相互作用才能有效。本研究有助于理解成功的支持性和治疗性亲子游戏小组模式的关键组成部分，强调让消费者参与为发育迟缓或残疾儿童及其家庭制定基于证据的有意义干预措施的重要性。
