We are CHILD - a Family of Constructs. Item from newsletter from the research environment CHILD at Jönköping University
A special focus this fall is to sharpen the discussion around a CHILD meta-theory common for the group. Research, by definition, has to be based on a set of constructs. These constructs form the basis for building theories and collecting data. It is typical for many researchers to primarily do research linked to constructs they endorse. However, it is also typical that researchers experience that other researchers work with other constructs that are more or less the same or at least strongly related e.g behavior problems and mental health.
A family of constructs is a group of constructs that, from a theoretical point of view, seem to share basic features, that is, that seem to be strongly related. Interdisciplinary research groups and research environments probably need to base their work on families of constructs. These families should be wide enough to allow several researchers working with partly different constructs to feel at home but narrow enough to allow for generalization and further development of the knowledge base.
How we form collaborative constructs within the area of everyday functioning
A basic step in forming collaborative research efforts in the area of research on everyday functioning, defined as participation in everyday activities, is to form families of constructs that is wide enough for CHILD members to feel at home but narrow enough to allow the development of a knowledge base. Participation in everyday activities can be loosely defined as 'involvement in a life situation' (WHO, 2001) and can be applied both to individuals, micro systems, meso systems, exo-systems and macro systems. As a construct participation in everyday activities is strongly related to health and can be seen as a positive expression of health. It is also strongly related to learning. Being engaged in everyday activities (including school activities) is a prerequisite for learning. For the CHILD group participation in everyday activities can be seen as a common theme that is possible to relate both to health and learning.
Common Themes in Theory ...
Common themes in our research are participation in everyday activities for children with impairments or cancer, control perceptions (especially in children's own pain management and family and child decision making) and applications of ICF-CY in family, preschool/school, and health services. These themes are also the focus of our ongoing international collaborations with researchers in Portugal, USA, Australia, South Africa, Vietnam and Taiwan. Hopefullyour upcoming discussions make it possible for us to formulate a state of the art paper for the meta-theory of our research.
... and Practice
Related to the meta-theory discussion is also the International Masters on Childhood Intervention that started this fall. Most members of the CHILD group and researchers from our international network are involved as lecturers, seminar leaders and/or as supervisors. The focus is on interventions and education for children that need additional support, to participate in everyday activities due to long term health conditions, psychosocial circumstances, school factors or impairments. The course will be run again in the fall of 2015.
Mats Granlund: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Research Leader of CHILD
