Tiden, hälsan och familjen
En intervjustudie av tidsbrist och dess konsekvenser för hälsan
Aim and scientific issuesThe aim was to identify potential health risks, for full-time working parents with small children, caused by time shortage. The intention was to better understand and help this particularly time-pressured group in society to achieve a healthier lifestyle. The identification was built upon their own opinions about possible health risks and upon an interpretation of the health risks from a health promoter?s perspective.How do full-time working parents with young children handle time-shortage in a health perspective, specified in the categories: sleep, recovery, nutrition, physical activity, social health and mental health?What consequences for health does time?shortage have for full-time working parents with young children?What do parents with young children think could help them to obtain a better health in everyday life? MethodThe study was based on a literature overview and semi-structured interviews with 6 people who were strategically selected: the interview objects were all full-time working or studying, had one child under 7 and lived together with a partner. All interviews were recorded using two dictaphones and were implemented, transcribed and analyzed by both writers of this essay to increase the reliability of the results.ResultsTime shortage is shown to be handled especially through priorities in the respondent?s lives. Depending on individual preferences, knowledge and lifestyle the interview objects give up different activities. Common for all respondents was that they gave up activities necessary for their health in the long term. The consequences of time shortage for their health therefore depended on what kind of activity they gave up. It is clear that time-shortage signifies an increased risk for lifestyle diseases in the long term.The parents? own suggestions for improvements included household services, economic help, social networks, a more flexible working market and a more flexible society.ConclusionsTime shortage is a problem for parents with small children and the consequences of it are that crucial activities for promoting a long-term good health are given up. Input from the community is needed and the health educator can be a part in the work of teaching parents ?to-be about lifestyle changes that could occur. Based on the results of this study, different methods can be used for the solution of specific problems in different families.