Early Literacy Research Library (ELRL) - Article

At the Feet of Storytellers Equity in Early Relational Health Conversations

Condon, M., Charlot-Swilley, D., Rahman, T. (2022). At the Feet of Storytellers: Equity in Early Relational Health Conversations. Infant Mental Health Journal, 43(3), 390–409.,

Access: Institutional Access

Publication year

2022

study description

Qualitative: discourse analysis and phenomenological study.

core topic(s)

Early Relational Health

Population Characteristics

Race, Ethnicity, and Culture

Exposures, Outcomes, Other

Clinic-Based Programs and Interventions , Disparity/Adversity , Early Relational Health Screen , Parent Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs , Screening and Tools , Validity, Reliability, Feasibility, and Acceptability


objectives

This is the first investigation of experiences and perspectives of African American families and Healthy Steps Specialists (HSS) of color with the Early Relational Health Screen (ERHS) in a pediatric primary care setting.

exposure

Early Relational Health Screen (ERHS).

outcomes evaluated

ERHS relevance, acceptance, and utility.

setting

Two pediatric primary care settings in Washington, D.C. where families have the option of enrolling in Healthy Steps (HS-DC).

methods

Authors present findings of a discourse analysis and phenomenological study of experiences of African American families’ and Healthy Steps Specialists’ (HSS) of color with screening ERH in Washington, D.C., USA.

sample size

n=13 (participants)

measures

Discourse Analysis: examined ways in which people who were involved in ERH interacted with each other, how they understood implications of their words, decisions, and actions to determine how thinking among members of dominant groups affects members of minority groups. Analysis of discourses that are operative in particular situations, for example, screening ERH in pediatric primary care, is also a way to detect thinking, language, and practices that enable systemic racism.

 

Phenomenology: understanding the subjective nature of lived experience to identify unanticipated phenomena and influences, generate new theories, and develop causal explanations. To mitigate the influence of presuppositions on participant observation, data analysis and interpretation, researchers begin by studying phenomena, and engage in self-critique during content analysis. The last step in analysis is relating findings to relevant literature.


results

Findings indicate relevance, acceptance and utility may be influenced by positionality, cultural context, issues of equity, and engagement in mutual reflection. A family-centered approach that opened space for non-dominant knowledge about ERH made positive differences in engagement and utility for families and practitioners alike. Health and vulnerability were detected reliably using this approach.

conclusions

Outcomes include new theories about ERH-focused visits with African American families and infants, and a new model for centering ERH in pediatric practice, entitled Early Relational Health Conversations. ERH-C is a family reflection model, not necessarily dyadic. It may have value for other populations. Future directions in ERH-C research are suggested.

limitations

Just two fathers participated. Clinic nurses, nurse practitioners and pediatricians were not participants in the study or in RSC. HSS would have preferred families be engaged as true co-investigators, developing research questions, analyzing and interpreting data, and disseminating lessons learned (Foster-Fishman & Watson, 2011), but it was not possible at the time this quality improvement initiative was undertaken.

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