Papers by margarita Frederico
Children and Youth Services Review
Journal of Early Intervention
This study explored how early childhood intervention (ECI) professionals could support the develo... more This study explored how early childhood intervention (ECI) professionals could support the development of secure attachment in children with developmental delay or disability (DD) within the context of ECI in Australia. Secure parent–child attachment is conducive to the aims of ECI to enhance the development, well-being, and participation of children with DD. Constructivist grounded theory methodology was applied to collect and analyze data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with three parents and 18 professionals. Seven conceptual categories were selected: (a) Importance; (b) Challenges; (c) The System; (d) The Key Worker; (e) Assessment; (f) Strategies; and (g) Outcomes. Two dominant themes were identified: the quality of the relationship between the ECI professional and the family and self-regulation. An attachment-focused ECI framework is proposed, aligned with the ecological system model.
Child Abuse & Neglect, 2022
BACKGROUND Contrary to evidence from the Western literature, cases of filicide in Ghana are mostl... more BACKGROUND Contrary to evidence from the Western literature, cases of filicide in Ghana are mostly unreported because they are rooted in cultural practices and hidden from the general public. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural context of filicide in a rural community. Particularly, to provide an understanding of the spirit child (SC) phenomenon, how the killing of a SC is performed and to provide a general understanding of filicide within a particular context. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Four relatives of a family that engaged in a filicide incident took part in the study. The interviews were conducted in a rural community in Ghana where the incident occurred. METHODS Short written narratives were used to explore the experiences and perceptions of relatives whose family engaged in filicide. RESULTS Children with severe deformities are likely to be associated with matters of divinity which gives way for the conceptualization of the SC and its attendant filicide. The findings highlight the critical role of traditional healers in rural communities and the consequences of strong community beliefs and expectations that influence parents to commit filicide. CONCLUSION The study provides directions for child protection workers to address the stigma parents face for having children with severe deformities and to provide education on child welfare legislation.
Social Work Education, 2016
Child and family practice and child protection are extraordinarily complex. They require in-depth... more Child and family practice and child protection are extraordinarily complex. They require in-depth understanding of intra-and interpersonal skills and intricate service systems, and capacity to operate in a constantly changing policy environment. One way of meeting the needs of such practitioners is facilitating their access to experts working across direct practice, management and leadership and policy-making contexts. This article discusses the rationale for collaboratively delivered post-qualifying courses for child and family practitioners, and discusses a highly successful example of such courses delivered through La Trobe University. It outlines the unique developmental process and model of delivery adopted by the consortium responsible for the postgraduate programme. It concludes with reference to early evaluative findings indicating it as a promising pedagogical model.
La Trobe University Research Online, a digital repository holding works produced by La Trobe Univ... more La Trobe University Research Online, a digital repository holding works produced by La Trobe University staff and students La Trobe University Research Online, a digital repository holding works produced by La Trobe University staff and students
International Journal of Care and Caring
There is international evidence that informal or unpaid carers have poorer mental health and expe... more There is international evidence that informal or unpaid carers have poorer mental health and experience higher levels of isolation and stress than others in the population. Identifying approaches that promote carer well-being is critical to supporting this essential role in the community. This study presents the findings of the evaluation of a brief carer intervention designed to improve carers’ well-being delivered by a community service organisation. The manualised programme provided information and psycho-education to adult carers in five regional locations in Victoria, Australia. Positive change was noted in carers’ knowledge of good mental health and well-being, supports, and social connectedness.
Bundoora : La Trobe University,, 2012
and principal consultant on research and evaluation to Take Two. She teaches and researches in th... more and principal consultant on research and evaluation to Take Two. She teaches and researches in the field of family and child welfare. She evaluates government and non government child and family welfare programs. Jane Harrison has Muruwari heritage and is a researcher, writer and award-winning playwright (Stolen, Rainbow's End, Blakvelvet). She has contributed to Many Voices, reflections on the experience of Indigenous child separation
Leadership in Child and Family Practice, 2018
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Papers by margarita Frederico