Reading Groups as a Health‐Promoting Intervention in Upper Secondary Schools: A Qualitative Study
2025

Using Reading Groups to Support Siblings of Children with Complex Care Needs

Sample size: 10 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sunniva Solhaug Fjelldal, Anne Clancy, Morten Auklend, Hilde Laholt

Primary Institution: UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Hypothesis

How can public health nurses support siblings of children with complex care needs through reading groups in upper secondary schools?

Conclusion

Reading groups can help public health nurses support siblings of children with complex care needs by providing a way to reach out and create understanding among peers.

Supporting Evidence

  • Public health nurses reported a lack of established procedures to support siblings of children with complex care needs.
  • Reading groups using fiction can provide a supportive environment for siblings to explore their feelings.
  • Collaboration between public health nurses and teachers is essential for the successful implementation of reading groups.

Takeaway

This study shows that reading groups can help kids who have a brother or sister with health problems feel better and get support from their friends.

Methodology

Qualitative study using thematic analysis based on interviews with public health nurses.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the self-selection of participants and the qualitative nature of the study.

Limitations

The study faced challenges in recruiting participants due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

Participants were public health nurses with varying years of experience, working in both urban and rural municipalities in Norway.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1111/phn.13428

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