Parental and family factors related to the development of children in multi-assisted families

Abstract

With a view to analyzing welfare program effectiveness, in this study we intended to characterize the needs, capabilities and vulnerabilities of families and children in need in the Portuguese Welfare System. For this 95 parents, with an average age of 36.91 years (SD = 6.88), and an average of 6.77 school years completed (SD = 2.91), and 109 children, aged 8 to 12 years (M = 10.14, SD = 1.40) were recruited among those beneficiary from a cash transfer program. Participants completed a battery of scales that included parental stress (PSI) and social support (IARSP), parental risk of child abuse and neglect (AAPI), family problems, children’s quality of life (Kidscreen), and emotional and behavioural problems (CBCL). Results indicated that most families were multiproblem families and experienced high levels of adversity. With regard to children, they suffered a negative impact in their wellbeing, behavior (both internalized and externalized), as well in their social and emotional competence. In addition, parental stress and low social support had a negative impact on children´s health-related quality of life. Implications for intervention are discussed.