Empowerment, satisfaction, and family quality of life in early intervention: A qualitative study of professional practices received
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early intervention (EI) has evolved toward the family-centered approach, operationalized through family-centered practices. Evidence suggests that the quality of implementation of these practices is associated with family outcomes such as empowerment, satisfaction, family quality of life (FQoL), and potentially caregiver burden/stress. However, in transitioning contexts, gaps persist between the model and perceived practice.
AIM: To explore from the perspective of Spanish families receiving EI services, how the professional practices they perceive relate to their experiences of empowerment/self-confidence, satisfaction, caregiver burden/stress, and FQoL, and to what extent these practices are perceived as aligned with the principles of the family-centered approach.
METHODS: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative observational study with an interpretative phenomenological orientation. Thirty families from Spain’s 17 Autonomous Communities participated. In-depth individual semi-structured interviews were conducted (in person or via videoconference), audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. The matrix analysis was carried out using Atlas. ti (v.9) following an inductive-deductive strategy (open, axial, and selective coding). Rigor was enhanced through expert panel review and interrater agreement (Kappa = 0.83).
RESULTS: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative observational study with an interpretative phenomenological orientation. Thirty families from Spain’s 17 Autonomous Communities participated. In-depth individual semi-structured interviews were conducted (in person or via videoconference), audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was carried out using Atlas. ti (v.9) following an inductive-deductive strategy (open, axial, and selective coding). Rigor was enhanced through expert panel review and interrater agreement (Kappa = 0.83).
CONCLUSION: From the family perspective, the impact of EI depends on the extent to which family-centered practices are implemented with quality, promoting genuine participation and transfer to daily routines. Trust, self-efficacy, and empowerment emerge as proximal outcomes linked to well-being and FQoL, while caregiver burden/stress may limit these processes. Incorporating family outcomes (FQoL, burden/stress) into service evaluation may help guide improvements in the implementation of EI in Spain.
Related
- Understanding research practices and methodological choices when applying the Person-Based Approach to health intervention development: A qualitative interview study
- Short-term changes in HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices following empowerment-based health education among Chinese college students: a single-group pilot study
- Exploring contextual factors associated with adolescent sexual violence in Tasikmalaya Regency, Indonesia: a qualitative study informing an ecological empowerment framework
- Safety risk identification and family empowerment needs in home oxygen therapy for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a qualitative study
- Perceived outcomes of an integrated menstrual hygiene intervention on empowerment among secondary school girls in Nasarawa State Nigeria
BibTeX
@article{montanomerchan2026empowerment,
title = {{Empowerment, satisfaction, and family quality of life in early intervention: A qualitative study of professional practices received}},
author = {Mónica Montano-Merchán and Roberto Sanz-Ponce and Joana Calero-Plaza},
journal = {World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.5409/wjcp.120102},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5409/wjcp.120102},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Empowerment, satisfaction, and family quality of life in early intervention: A qualitative study of professional practices received
AU - Mónica Montano-Merchán
AU - Roberto Sanz-Ponce
AU - Joana Calero-Plaza
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics
DO - 10.5409/wjcp.120102
UR - https://doi.org/10.5409/wjcp.120102
AB - BACKGROUND: Early intervention (EI) has evolved toward the family-centered approach, operationalized through family-centered practices. Evidence suggests that the quality of implementation of these practices is associated with family outcomes such as empowerment, satisfaction, family quality of life (FQoL), and potentially caregiver burden/stress. However, in transitioning contexts, gaps persist between the model and perceived practice. AIM: To explore from the perspective of Spanish families receiving EI services, how the professional practices they perceive relate to their experiences of empowerment/self-confidence, satisfaction, caregiver burden/stress, and FQoL, and to what extent these practices are perceived as aligned with the principles of the family-centered approach. METHODS: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative observational study with an interpretative phenomenological orientation. Thirty families from Spain’s 17 Autonomous Communities participated. In-depth individual semi-structured interviews were conducted (in person or via videoconference), audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. The matrix analysis was carried out using Atlas. ti (v.9) following an inductive-deductive strategy (open, axial, and selective coding). Rigor was enhanced through expert panel review and interrater agreement (Kappa = 0.83). RESULTS: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative observational study with an interpretative phenomenological orientation. Thirty families from Spain’s 17 Autonomous Communities participated. In-depth individual semi-structured interviews were conducted (in person or via videoconference), audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was carried out using Atlas. ti (v.9) following an inductive-deductive strategy (open, axial, and selective coding). Rigor was enhanced through expert panel review and interrater agreement (Kappa = 0.83). CONCLUSION: From the family perspective, the impact of EI depends on the extent to which family-centered practices are implemented with quality, promoting genuine participation and transfer to daily routines. Trust, self-efficacy, and empowerment emerge as proximal outcomes linked to well-being and FQoL, while caregiver burden/stress may limit these processes. Incorporating family outcomes (FQoL, burden/stress) into service evaluation may help guide improvements in the implementation of EI in Spain.
SN - 2219-2808
ER -