Peer-reviewed article

Child Care and Development in the Migration Context of Brazil: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Study at an International Border

Gabriela Dominicci de Melo Casacio, Rosane Meire Munhak da Silva, Ana L. Penna, Gabrielle Oliveira, Aisha Khizar Yousafzai et al. · 1 May 2025

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Immigrant families in Brazil face challenges such as socio-economic vulnerability, and limited access to essential services like health and education. These stressors may compromise the capacity of families to provide adequate nurturing care for their young children. METHODS: This study used a convergent parallel mixed methods design to address how the experience of parenting and accessing support among immigrant and refugee caregivers of young children explains their parenting related practices and perceived parenting stress. The study objectives were to (1) describe parental beliefs, care practices and stressors among caregivers of young children living in a migratory context; (2) explore how the environment and social context influence parents' nurturing care for young children; and (3) examine how parents, nurses and educators promote young children's development in a migratory context. RESULTS: Seventy caregivers participated in the quantitative study, and a subset of 21 caregivers along with 12 nurses and 13 teachers took part in the qualitative study. Quantitative findings revealed that caregivers were not engaging in stimulating activities with their children and perceived their parenting demands to exceed their ability to provide care. These findings were elucidated by the qualitative data, which found that the challenges of migration contributed to parental stress and negative caregiving practices, reduced caregiver-child interaction and was perceived to impact children's health and development. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding these factors may inform interventions to mitigate challenges and offer adequate support for children to thrive in a migratory context.