生态系统理论视域下留守儿童照顾者养育体验的质性研究OA

Objective:To explore the authentic caregiving experiences of caregivers of left-behind children in underdeveloped regions based on ecosystem theory.Methods:A total of 22 caregivers of left-behind children who underwent physical examinations at a maternal and child health hospital in a county of Yunnan province were selected as study subjects from July 2024 to June 2025 by purposive sampling.Focus group interviews and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted.Participant observation was supplemented.Data were analyzed using a combination of directed content analysis and conventional content analysis.Results:Four core themes and thirteen sub-themes were ultimately identified.The core themes were experiences of physical and mental tearing and resilient stitching at the microsystem level,experiences of tearing at the mesosystem level,experiences of tearing and limited stitching at the exosystem level,and experiences of tearing and resilient stitching at the macrosystem level.Conclusions:The caregiving process for left-behind children is a dynamic experience involving multiple tearing experiences and limited stitching.Healthcare professionals should play an active role within the family-school-community-policy four-dimensional support network to improve the caregiving experiences of these caregivers.