Qualitative+Research+Review

Qualitative Research Review

 * Article: Attendance, achievement and participation: Young carers' experiences of school in Australia**

//**Purpose:**// This study "aimed to gather young carers' views about school, the challenges they face in engaging with education and their peers, and ways that the system might better support others like them" (p. 1)

//**Construct:**// Participation in schooling and challenges to participation by young carers in Australia.

//**Methodology:**// 51 young carers participated in structured audiotaped telephone interviews (44 participants) and a group interview (7 participants). They were recruited from existed programs for carers. The interviews were analyzed for key themes.

//**Key Results:**// Carers generally value their participation in schooling and key challenges to participating in schooling are identified: -challenges in getting to school -poverty -lack of time to socialize with friends -difficulties in engaging with others who understand -bullying and harassment -feeling uncomfortable and unsafe -expressing anger and other negative emotions

//**Applications for professionals:**// The carers interviewed gave several ways that schools could better serve them: -teachers would have understanding and compassion for their situation -having someone available that they could talk to in the school -identify others in school in similar situations to create support groups -additional in-home support and respite -greater flexibility in how education was provided and assessed

//**Limitations:**// -Small sample size -Participants are already engaged in some sort of support program so results may overstate level of assistance received by young carers -Sample was not culturally diverse and most were from metropolitan areas

//**Generalizability:**// Since the sample size was small (51), the authors state that they can only report on emerging themes rather than make generalizable claims. Also, the sample was from primarily metropolitan areas so the results could not be generalized to those who live in more rural areas.