Dialogue tool parental well-being

The dialogue tool is an instrument to stimulate dialogue about parental well-being. The tool highlights various aspects of parental well-being – including topics that are not naturally addressed. In this way, different aspects of well-being become visible and open for discussion. Parents choose which topics they wish to discuss. After using the tool, parents indicate that they feel better heard and seen by the professional. The tool is based on the five pillars of parental well-being as described in the publication ‘ Parental Well-being. Balanced Parents, Happy Children? ‘ by the Dutch Youth Institute.

Parental well-being

Well-being is about feeling good about yourself – physically, mentally, and socially. For parents, it specifically concerns how they feel in their parenting role. This is sometimes independent of how their child is doing. Even when a child is doing well, a parent may still not feel so good.
Parents who feel good about themselves have more resilience and can better cope with parental challenges. Their well-being has a direct impact on their children’s development.

Background and development of the tool

Paying attention to how parents are doing is important. However, parents feel that professionals focus primarily on the child, while their own well-being is overlooked. This topic emerged from interviews with parents conducted by Tranzo, Tilburg University.
This dialogue tool was therefore developed in collaboration with parents with lived experience and municipal professionals. Needs were explored and solutions developed through Design Thinking sessions. The result: the dialogue tool ‘Well-being of Parents & Caregivers’ – cards that spark conversation about parental well-being.

Developed by

Avans Hogeschool, CJG Breda, Gemeente Breda, GGD West-Brabant, Kenniswerkplaats Pedagogische Basis, LOC Waardevolle zorg, Nederlands Jeugdinstituut (NJI), ZeBra Netwerk vanuit Jongeren en Ouder Perspectief, Academische Werkplaats Jeugd, Tranzo, Tilburg University. This project is funded by ZonMw.

More information

Send an e-mail to: onderzoek@ggdwestbrabant.nl