Screening for economic hardship at Child Health Care Centres: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perceptions and experiences of the Healthier Wealthier Families model in Sweden.

Abstract

The Healthier Wealthier Families model uses the child healthcare services as an access point to screen and connect parents experiencing economic hardship to municipal Budget and Debt Counselling services. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of the Healthier Wealthier Families model in a Swedish context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three stakeholder groups: eligible parents who declined (n=10) and received (n=9) financial counselling; nurses (n=7); and financial counsellors (n=5). The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis resulted in three main themes conveying the stigma of talking about finance, the connection between economic situation and family wellbeing, and the nuts and bolts of providing preventive financial counselling. A working model aiming to ameliorate child poverty in a societal service context needs to address the preconceptions and perceived mandate and role of the professionals, the prevalence of financial stigma in society, especially in relation to being a 'good' parent, and the current preoccupations and perceived financial needs and hopes of the families served.