Experiences Of Family Members Research Articles

A Descriptive Qualitative Study of Older Persons and Family Experiences with Extreme Weather Conditions in Northern Thailand.

Extreme weather can cause ill health in older persons due to a direct thermal effect on the body's thermoregulation and difficulties in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and accessing the health services they need. To understand experiences in relation to their exposures to extreme weather and how they responded to such weather conditions, including cold snaps, heat and air pollution in northern Thai communities, a descriptive qualitative study was conducted to uncover details and the essence of perspectives and experiences of older persons and family members. Three focus group discussions with 15 older persons and 15 family members occurred in three communities in Chiang Rai, a northern province of Thailand. Thematic analysis was performed. Experiences of older persons and families in relation to extreme weather conditions were described in five themes: local actions against weather changes, the double challenges, awareness and reactions to weather changes, protective and comfortable living environments, and mitigation of the impacts of weather conditions. Seasonal adaptability was key for older persons to stay safe and healthy during extreme weather changes. Heat, cold snaps, and air pollution made health and daily living routine maintenance among older persons challenging, especially among those with declining health. Older persons and families employed predictive and adaptive strategies to avoid and minimise extreme weather impacts and maximise their comfort and optimal living.

Family members' perspectives of hope when supporting a relative experiencing mental health problems.

Current research views hope as a process that plays a positive role in the recovery of individuals with mental health problems. However, little attention has been given to the role of hope in the lives of their families. We aimed to address that gap. We deployed a qualitative descriptive design and carried out individual interviews with nine family members who supported a relative with mental health problems. A cross-comparison of the data generated three major themes: understandings of hope; factors that diminish hope and factors that nurture hope. The participants viewed hope as a positive and productive feeling or attitude that was life-affirming, and empowering. They also associated it with behaviours and dispositions such as attentiveness and empathy and the possibility of a return to a more stable and 'normal' life. The participants experienced hope as initially eroded when their relative was first diagnosed and institutionalized. Hope was further diminished due to the poor communication practices of some mental health professionals and the stress of the caring role itself. On the other hand, hope was nurtured through the support of other family members, friends, neighbours and peers. Acquiring knowledge and understanding about the relative's state of mental health nurtured hope and enabled the participants to have a more meaningful role in their recovery process. Practices of self-care such as independent activities and counselling also strengthened hope and some mental health professionals played a positive role in supporting these. Most striking about the reports of many of the participants was their assertion of their abiding love for their relative. Their account of their ability to see beyond the illness of their relative was an insight that we did not find in other accounts of the experiences of family members. We highlight the need for family members to have timely access to relevant information about their relatives' illness. We conclude that hope is relational at its core because of the interplay of intrapersonal, interpersonal and social factors that diminish or nurture it over time. Specifically, we propose that friends, neighbours and peer support groups as key actors in nurturing the hope of both family members and their relatives.

Family & bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care: a scoping review

BackgroundEmergency ambulance personnel respond to a variety of incidents in the community, including medical, trauma and obstetric emergencies. Family and bystanders present on scene may provide first aid, reassurance, background information or even act as proxy decision-makers. For most people, involvement in any event requiring an emergency ambulance response is a stressful and salient experience. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and synthesise all published, peer-reviewed research describing family and bystanders’ experiences of emergency ambulance care.MethodsThis scoping review included peer-reviewed studies that reported on family or bystander experiences where emergency ambulance services responded. Five databases were searched in May 2022: Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertation & Theses and PsycINFO. After de-duplication and title and abstract screening, 72 articles were reviewed in full by two authors for inclusion. Data analysis was completed using thematic synthesis.ResultsThirty-five articles reporting heterogeneous research designs were included in this review (Qualitative = 21, Quantitative = 2, Mixed methods = 10, Evidence synthesis = 2). Thematic synthesis developed five key themes characterising family member and bystander experiences. In an emergency event, family members and bystanders described chaotic and unreal scenes and emotional extremes of hope and hopelessness. Communication with emergency ambulance personnel played a key role in family member and bystander experience both during and after an emergency event. It is particularly important to family members that they are present during emergencies not just as witnesses but as partners in decision-making. In the event of a death, family and bystanders want access to psychological post-event support.ConclusionBy incorporating patient and family-centred care into practice emergency ambulance personnel can influence the experience of family members and bystanders during emergency ambulance responses. More research is needed to explore the needs of diverse populations, particularly regarding differences in cultural and family paradigms as current research reports the experiences of westernised nuclear family experiences.

The needs and experiences of critically ill patients and family members in intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia: a qualitative study

BackgroundAdmission to an intensive care unit (ICU) is a stressful experience for patients and their family members. While the focus of management is primarily on medical care, there can be other areas which are overlooked. The purpose of this study was to investigate the needs and experiences of ICU patients and family members.MethodThis qualitative study involved four trained researchers conducting in-depth interviews (IDI) based on a semi-structured interview guide. The participants were ICU patients and family members. All IDIs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Four researchers independently analyzed the data via thematic analysis with the aid of QDA Miner Lite®. The themes and subthemes were generated and confirmed by literature and expert opinion.ResultsSix IDIs were conducted with three patients and three family members, whose ages ranged from 31 to 64 years old. One pair of participants consisted of a patient and his respective family member, while the other four participants did not have a familial relationship with each other. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: (I) critical care services; (II) physical spaces; and (III) monitoring technology. Medical, psychological, physical, and social needs for critical care services were expressed by both patients and family members. Patients’ needs in clinical spaces were highlighted as a conducive ICU environment with ambient temperature and controlled noise levels. In non-clinical spaces, family members expressed a need for more chairs in the waiting area. Participants expressed the need for call bells as well as patients’ negative perceptions of medical equipment alarms in the ICU when it pertained to monitoring technology.ConclusionThis study provides an in-depth view at the needs and experiences of ICU patients and family members who have a variety of unmet needs. This understanding is critical for guiding ICU personnel and stakeholders in their efforts to humanize ICU care.

Spotlight on Research

Journal of Paramedic PracticeVol. 15, No. 6 Spotlight on ResearchSpotlight on ResearchGregory A. Whitley, Pete GregoryGregory A. WhitleyParamedic Research Fellow, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Lecturer in Paramedic Science, University of Lincoln, UKSearch for more papers by this author, Pete GregoryAssociate Dean and Head of School of Allied Health and Midwifery, University of Wolverhampton, UKSearch for more papers by this authorGregory A. Whitley; Pete GregoryPublished Online:2 Jun 2023https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.6.261AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Whitley GA, Wijegoonewardene N, Nelson D, Curtis, F, Ortega M, Siriwardena AN. Patient, family member, and ambulance staff experiences of prehospital acute pain management in adults: a systematic review and meta-synthesis. JACEP Open. 2023; 4:e12940. https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12940 Crossref, Google ScholarGulickx M, Lokerman RD, Waalwijk JF et al.. Pre-hospital tranexamic acid administration in patients with a severe hemorrhage: an evaluation after the implementation of tranexamic acid administration in the Dutch pre-hospital protocol. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-023-02262-4 Crossref, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 June 2023Volume 15Issue 6ISSN (print): 1759-1376ISSN (online): 2041-9457 Metrics History Published online 2 June 2023 Published in print 2 June 2023 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Sudden cardiac death in the young: A qualitative study of experiences of family members with cardiogenetic evaluation.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating event for the family and the community, especially when it occurs in a young person (<45 years). Genetic heart diseases, including cardiomyopathies and primary arrhythmia syndromes, are an important cause of SCD in the young. Although cardiogenetic evaluation, that is, clinical evaluation, genetic testing, and psychological support, is increasingly performed after SCD, it is unknown how suddenly bereaved family members experience the process. We aimed to explore the experiences of family members with cardiogenetic evaluation after SCD, and their perception of the process and care received. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 family members of young people (<45 years old) who died suddenly, including parents, siblings, and partners. The interviews were thematically analyzed by two researchers independently. In total, 18 interviews were conducted from 17 families. The following themes were identified: (1) Experiences with postmortem genetic testing including managing expectations and psychological impact, (2) appreciation of care such as access to genetic counseling and relief following cardiac evaluation of relatives, and (3) need for support including unmet psychological support needs and better coordination of care immediately after the death. Although participants appreciated the opportunity for cardiogenetic evaluation, they also experienced a lack of coordination of cardiogenetic and psychological care. Our findings stress the importance of access to expert multidisciplinary teams, including psychological care, to adequately support these families after a SCD in a young family member.

I AM FAMILY: Understanding the adapted sport experiences of family members of military personnel with physical and psychological illnesses and injuries through the lens of the Invictus Games

Family are influential actors in adapted sport participation. However, little is known about their experiences with adapted sport. The current study sought to explore the experiences of families in adapted sport through the context of the Invictus Games, an international adapted sport competition for military personnel with physical and psychological illnesses and injuries that is unique in its inclusion of family programming. Family members (n = 21; partners, parents, siblings, and children) of Invictus Games Toronto 2017 competitors participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: recognition of family experiences during service and after onset of disability; creating a sense of belonging; and improving family knowledge and perceptions. This study provides insight regarding how adapted sport events can support the well-being of both individuals with illnesses and injuries and their families.

Jedi Mindset: Discussing Effective Learning Strategies with Students

Abstract Students' ability to retrieve acquired knowledge long-term is critical for every discipline, especially Immunology. The research on learning shows undergraduate students use ineffective learning strategies, misjudging passive vs active ways of learning. Moreover, first generation graduates may be at a disadvantage as they have less opportunity to learn from family member experience. Sixty percent of students who attend medical, dental or graduate school continue to use ineffective strategies, e.g., re-reading. Our goal was to develop a bookclub for our incoming graduate students to discuss effective learning strategies, and assess student’s willingness to switch to more effective learning strategies as well as evaluate the benefit of the bookclub. We held three consecutive weekly sessions before courses started to discuss the book by Dr. Saundra McGuire entitled, “Teach yourself how to learn”. Incoming graduate students read a few chapters for each session and answered questions about their reading. A discussion was facilitated with senior students, who shared their experience about the program and provided advice. Short podcasts from the UCLA Lasting Learning website were viewed to revisit the important points. Students recognized that re-reading is not effective and were willing to modify their study habits and continued to use effective learning strategies the following semester. In addition, students agreed that the bookclub was beneficial and provided tools to help them succeed in their coursework, and emphasized the positive impact of senior students’ participation. Our study suggested that a bookclub about effective learning strategies is beneficial and can help incoming graduate students reach their full potential.

Title- exploring the experiences of black, asian, and minority ethnic family members living with black, asian, and minority health care workers in the uk during the covid-19 pandemic: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Title- exploring the experiences of black, asian, and minority ethnic family members living with black, asian, and minority health care workers in the uk during the covid-19 pandemic: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

'I no longer know that person': Experiences of families living with someone using crystal methamphetamine.

Crystal methamphetamine ('ice') use is a large and growing worldwide problem, yet few research studies have explored the impact of crystal methamphetamine use on affected friends and family members. We explored the experiences and narratives of family members and friends of people who use methamphetamine to inform the development of a Family and Friend Support Program. This paper reports on a subset of findings from a mixed method study, which sought to better understand the experiences of family members and friends of people who use methamphetamine. Participants were recruited via Facebook advertising and asked to complete a survey outlining their experiences. At the end of the survey, participants were invited to be interviewed by a clinical psychologist on the research team, to discuss their experiences in greater depth; seventeen people agreed to be interviewed. This paper is based on a qualitative thematic analysis of these interviews using Braun and Clarke's 6-stage approach to identify key areas of concern for friends and family members of people who use methamphetamine. Through thematic analysis, five key themes were developed, namely: (1) loss, (2) stigma, (3) support (or lack thereof), (4) ways of coping, and (5) the value in sharing personal experiences. The results of this study revealed the profound sadness, frustration and loss friends and family members experienced when caring for a loved one who uses methamphetamine. This loss was further complicated by societal stigma surrounding the use of methamphetamine, which often extended to friends and family members themselves. Since experiences of grief and loss were interwoven across the three themes, concepts of ambiguous loss, disenfranchised grief, and narrative constructivist approaches to understanding loss, were applied to the discussion of results. This study provides a more complete picture of family and caregiver experiences when caring for a loved one using methamphetamine, which may further help inform the design of intervention programs. Implications for future research and practice with this population are considered.

The Secondary Impact of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Family Members

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), with symptoms beyond 3 months, may be more common than previously believed, but is poorly understood. This has resulted in contradictory and confused information for service users, which has had an impact on those with mTBI and their families. This qualitative study aimed to improve understanding of the lived experiences of families of people with mTBI, with symptoms beyond 3 months. It extends a previous study, which focussed on all degrees of traumatic brain injury (TBI) (mild, moderate, and severe). Four individuals participated in semi-structured, virtual interviews. Following an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), three superordinate themes were identified: (1) Going round in circles, (2) The second secondary impact, and (3) Dialogue with myself. Findings indicate that families of people with mTBI, with symptoms beyond 3 months, may experience many of the same challenges as families of people with moderate or severe TBI, albeit at a lesser intensity. This includes difficulty making sense of TBI and challenges to their identity, both of which mirror the comparator TBI study findings. However, findings also indicated that this group may experience different challenges to families of people with moderate or severe TBI, aspects of which have not previously been reported. Feelings of ambiguous loss may be increased by incongruity between information provided and families’ experiences, and by the varied availability and content of information. Implications for service providers are that consistent, transparent, and realistic information and education may aid adjustment and assist families to support people with mTBI.

"The Challenge is Not to Make Her Feel Old and Bad": Exploring Australian Family Member Experiences of Conversations About Driving With Older Adults Using an Online Survey.

This study explored the experiences of Australian family members having conversations about driving with older adults. An exploratory cross-sectional design using an online survey was carried out with Australian family members of current or retired (former) older drivers. One hundred and fifty-six intergenerational family members across Australia completed the survey. Qualitative content analysis of free-text responses identified that the outcomes of conversations were impacted by a range of environmental and individual factors. The essence of conversations centered around two opposing (positive and negative) discourses. The findings highlighted that an individualized approach to the content of conversations is required due to; driver attributes and actions, variations in the level of support experienced by family members, differences in physical and cognitive declines with age, negative perceptions on the impact of driving retirement, and absence of acceptable alternatives to driving. We recommend using positive discourse and reappraisal techniques when initiating driving conversations with older adults.

Family Matters

Journal of Paramedic PracticeVol. 15, No. 4 EditorialFamily MattersAysha MendesAysha MendesEditor of Journal of Paramedic PracticeSearch for more papers by this authorAysha MendesPublished Online:5 Apr 2023https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.4.137AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Brown N. Pre-hospital resuscitation: what shall we tell the family? J Para Pract. 2016;8(2):86–89. https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2016.8.2.86 Link, Google ScholarJabre P, Belpomme V, Azoulay E et al.. Family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(11):1008–1018. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1203366 Crossref, Google ScholarLampridou S, Tavares S, Bassett P, Jennings CS. The effect of partners on smoking cessation among patients with cardiovascular disease. Br J Cardiac Nurs. 2023. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjca.2023.0016 Google ScholarMainds MD, Jones C. Breaking bad news and managing family during an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. J Para Pract. 2018;10(7):292–299. https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2018.10.7.292 Link, Google ScholarNevins M. What are family member experiences of the resuscitation of a relative? J Para Pract. 2016;8(6):302–310. https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2016.8.6.302 Link, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 April 2023Volume 15Issue 4ISSN (print): 1759-1376ISSN (online): 2041-9457 Metrics History Published online 5 April 2023 Published in print 2 April 2023 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Patient, family member, and ambulance staff experiences of prehospital acute pain management in adults: A systematic review and meta-synthesis.

We aimed to synthesize the qualitative experiences of patients, their family members, and ambulance staff involved in the prehospital management of acute pain in adults and generate recommendations to improve the quality of care. A systematic review was conducted following the enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research (ENTREQ) guidelines. We searched from inception to June 2021: MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO and Web of Science (search alerts were screened up to December 2021). Articles were eligible for inclusion if they reported qualitative data and were published in the English language. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program for qualitative studies checklist was used to assess risk of bias, thematic synthesis was performed on included studies and recommendations for clinical practice improvement were generated. Twenty-five articles were included in the review, representing over 464 patients, family members, and ambulance staff from 8 countries. Six analytical themes and several recommendations to improve clinical practice were generated. Strengthening the patient-clinician relationship by building trust, promoting patient empowerment, addressing patient needs and expectations, and providing a holistic approach to pain treatment is key to improving prehospital pain management in adults. Shared pain management guidelines and training across the prehospital and emergency department intersection should improve the patient journey. Interventions and guidelines that strengthen the patient-clinician relationship and span the prehospital and emergency department phase of care are likely to improve the quality of care for adults suffering acute pain in the prehospital setting.

Experiences of family members who have made surrogate medical decisions for patients in the critical care field

本研究の目的は，クリティカルケア領域において代理意思決定を行った患者家族の体験を明らかにすることである．緊急入院した患者の処置や治療について代理意思決定をし，患者の回復過程を見守る家族5名に対して半構成的面接を実施し，質的帰納的に分析した．その結果，代理意思決定を行った家族の体験として5つのコアカテゴリーが抽出された．家族は，【生と死紙一重の戸惑い】の中で【選択の余地のない意思決定】を行い，患者が生命危機を脱し回復過程を辿る経過にて【予見できない患者との生活像】という体験へと移行していた．さらに【窮地で差し伸べられた周囲からの支援】と【ニーズが満たされないもどかしさ】という相反する体験をしながら，【選択の余地のない意思決定】を中心とした代理意思決定を体験していた．患者の回復過程を見守る家族が救命後に直面する現実は，新たな困難を生じさせる可能性もあり，支援の必要性が示唆された．

The experiences of family members witnessing the diminishing drinking of a dying relative in hospital: A narrative inquiry

Background: The optimal management of diminishing drinking at the end of life is contentious. Clinicians and family members may understand the phenomenon differently and hold divergent priorities regarding care. Family members can be distressed by diminishing drinking and its management, particularly when in a hospital environment. Aim: To explore the experiences of family members when witnessing the diminishing drinking of a dying relative. Design: A narrative inquiry methodology, derived from pragmatism. Setting and participants: Thirteen recently bereaved family members were recruited through the bereavement services of three UK hospitals. Inclusion criteria included having an adult relative who died in hospital of any diagnosis more than 48 hours from admission and who had had noticeable diminishing drinking. Findings: Participants experienced diminishing drinking as an unfolding process that was part of overall decline. They all believed it to be detrimental. Three groups of responses were identified: promoting, accepting and ameliorating. Supportive measures included offering equipment to support drinking, staff being present and communicating about expectations and care management aims. Conclusions: There is potential to improve family members’ experiences through re-conceptualisation of diminishing drinking aligned to their experiences, supporting family members by listening to their experiences with insight and strengthening their agency within the management of their relatives with diminishing drinking.

Feeling intimidated and uncomfortable: Established and exacerbated educational inequities experienced by black parents of autistic children.

There are clear racial disparities that impact the education system. To capture the educational experiences of family members of Black autistic children as compared to white autistic children in the United States (US), a mixed methods design was implemented and included semi-structured interviews with family members of children between the ages of 5-12 who participated in a survey. The survey responses were used as attribute data. Twenty-nine interviews were conducted with parents of school-age autistic children. Findings from this study highlight challenges experienced by parents including education service use and engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, engaging with school personnel, and securing accommodations. The findings from this study illuminate the disparities experienced by Black parents of autistic children directly reported by the parents themselves in comparison to white parents. The themes elucidated in this study have implications for policy, practice, and research to ensure equity in educational settings for Black autistic students and their families.

Understanding gambling in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study on the experiences of gamblers' families.

This study focuses on understanding the experiences of family members of problem gamblers in the United Kingdom and the gambling consequences in their lives. Family members of problem gamblers, even though they suffer from gambling consequences, the impacts of gambling are under-researched. Qualitative research through in-depth interviews was employed. Thematic analysis was used to gain a deeper insight into gambling. Nine female participants were interviewed based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The results of this study indicated that close family members of problem gamblers had suffered not only financial devastation but also harsh psychological and mental health damages. Furthermore, family members suffer from gamblers' abusive and violent behaviors. Addiction was a key factor of gamblers' habit; fear, anxiety, and depression were some of the health issues derived from gambling. Overall, gambling addiction leads to further addiction, crime, and severe, family-relation sufferings. The study results suggest that the London Gambling Commission and regulating authority should change gambling policy, reduce gambling points, and limit gambling slot machines in food markets and community areas. More support is needed for family members affected by gamblers' addictive gambling behaviors.

Chinese-English speaking family perspectives of augmentative and alternative communication use with their children.

Culturally and linguistically diverse families who have children with complex communication needs (CCN) often have limited access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and interventions due to the lack of services that acknowledge their families' cultural and linguistic needs. Despite the increasing need for culturally responsive services, little is known about Chinese-English speaking families' perspectives and experience related to AAC use and services. The objective of this study was to understand the perspectives and experiences of Chinese-English speaking family members of children who use AAC use. This study employs a qualitative descriptive methodology approach. The researchers conducted individual or group semi-structured interviews with 10 adult family members (mother, father, and grandparent) from four Chinese-English speaking families in the U.S. and Canada who have a child who uses AAC (ages 3-8). Chinese-English speaking families have high acceptance and satisfaction with their child's AAC as long as they see the benefits of the AAC system. Mothers and siblings play unique roles in supporting home AAC practice given frequent engagement with and observed influence on the child who uses AAC. Family members indicated goals in building stronger family connections, but noted that the child's speech difficulties interfered with this goal. Chinese-English speaking families felt they can overcome limitations resulting from lower English language proficiency, but still find difficulties in obtaining resources because of the Western expectations of advocacy. Additionally, service providers' lack of responsiveness related to family goals could prevent families in obtaining AAC resources. The findings suggest the need for family-centered services with cultural sensitivity and humility for those serving Chinese-English speaking families with children who use AAC. Additionally, involving family members beyond the mother within services may improve both family functioning and child communication.

Doing family online: (In)formal knowledge circulation, information‐seeking practices, and support communities

AbstractObjectiveDrawing on the theory of polymedia and on the role of information and communications technology (ICT) in (re)defining the articulation between the private and the public, this introduction reflects on what ICT does to and for families around the world.BackgroundThrough the development of networking platforms, video call applications, personal sites, and collaborative information platforms, ICT has changed the way people live, love, and interact. It has also afforded new ways to “do family.”MethodBy featuring studies from a variety of national and regional contexts (Canada, Chile, Ghana, Greece, Moldova, South Korea, Ukraine, the Netherlands, United States, and Turkey), it establishes a dialogue between disciplines and a fruitful cross‐fertilization of research topics, methodologies, analyses, and theoretical perspectives.ResultsThis special issue explores (a) the nexus among family life, relationships, and ICT and (b) the relation between the everyday lived experiences of family members and the broader social structures that circumscribe the width and breadth of those experiences.ConclusionThe contributions show the porosity of the boundary between public and private spaces. Alternative forms of expertise and parenting norms are emerging online. ICTs are integrated into parents' information‐seeking and sharing practices, and emotional support. They sustain relationships between family members across distance. However, inequalities regarding access to the Internet and computer literacy still jeopardize digital citizenship and democratization.ImplicationThe contributions in this special issue highlight the need for better structuring of interventions and policies to support families by using up‐to‐date ICT systems and creating mentorship programs and digital mediation for family professionals and beneficiaries.