Children as carers: an integrative review

Authors

  • Ana Sofia Filipe Marote Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto
  • Carla Andreia Pinto Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto
  • Marlene da Rocha Vieira Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto
  • Maria do Céu Aguiar Barbiéri-Figueiredo Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto
  • Pedro Miguel Nunes Pedrosa Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692012000600023

Keywords:

Child, Adolescent, Caregivers, Nursing Care

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to undertake an integrative literature review on the issue of "Children as carers". This is an emerging topic in the provision of health care, but nevertheless has a low profile in the literature. METHODOLOGY: this study was based in a survey of nine databases of scientific articles, using as descriptor: child, young, caregivers, lay carer and nursing role, as well as the corresponding terms in Portuguese. 21 articles were analyzed. RESULTS: these were organized into six categories - factors which motivate the child to take on the role of caregiver; these children's characteristics; tasks performed; time spent in caring; consequences of providing care and the role of the nurse in partnership with these children and their families. CONCLUSION: the children as carers are a focus of attention relevant to nursing practice, this issue representing an opportunity for investigation in Portuguese-speaking countries, as no article was found on the subject in Portuguese. In addition, with this first study in Portuguese, a work of the creation of a bibliography is begun, allowing an awareness of the issue and the identification of ways to respond to the families involved, in line with their needs.

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Published

2012-12-01

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 6 (2012)

Section

Review Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Children as carers: an integrative review . (2012). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 20(6), 1196-1205. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692012000600023