The primary aims of this research were to identify the main parenting styles and forms of discipline used by parents with children in the Irish contex. A further aim of the study was to identify parental attitudes to the current legislative position on the physical punishment of children. A telephone survey methodology was adopted to access the views of 1,353 parents and guardians who are currently caring for at least one child under the age of 18 years.

Contact person:  Dr. Ann Marie Halpenny
Address:   School of Social Sciences and Law, Dublin Institute of Technology, Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1
Telephone:  + 353 1 4024255
Fax:    + 353 1 4024263
E-mail:   Annmarie.Halpenny@dit.ie

Click here to download presentation by AnnMarie Halpenny from launch

Children’s Perspectives on Parenting Styles and Discipline: A Developmental Approach

Date of publication: June 2010

The broad aim of this research was to explore children’s perspectives on parenting styles, and parental approaches to discipline and control. Focus groups, conducted within school settings, were the method of data collection. 132 children and young people participated in the study, consisting of 67 boys and 65 girls, ranging in age from early childhood to adolescence.

Contact: Elizabeth Nixon
Address: School of Psychology, Aras an Phiarsaigh, Trinity College Dublin 2
Telephone: + 353 1 896 2867
Fax: + 353 1 671 2006
E-mail: enixon@tcd.ie

Click here to download presentation by Elizabeth Nixon from launch

Public Library Services for Children and Young People in Ireland

Date of publication: May 2010

The main aim of this research is to investigate the opinions and perceptions of young people aged, 13-17, about current library services, as well as to obtain their ideas for creating a public library that would appeal to their age group. Focus groups, participant observation, documentary analysis and a survey of libraries will be used to meet the aims and objectives of this research.

Contact: Professor Robbie Gilligan
Address: Children’s Research Centre,Trinity College,Dublin 2
Telephone: + 353 1 8961331
Fax: + 353 1 8963232
E-mail: robbie.gilligan@tcd.ie

Research on Young Carers in the Irish Population

Date of publication: May 2010

The aims and objectives of this project are to conduct original research on young carers (aged 5-17 years old) in the Irish population, identifying a mechanism for identifying them, exploring the impact of caring on their lives and making recommendations for ways in which they can be supported.

Contact person:  Dr Allyn Fives
Address:    212b Science and Engineering Technology Building, National University of Ireland, Galway
Telephone:  091 495732
E-mail:   allyn.fives@nuigalway.ie

Ethics Committees and Ethics Approval for Children’s Research in Ireland

Date of publication: June 2009

This project aims to provide an overview of the current mechanisms for applying for and achieving ethics approval for studies with children in Ireland. It investigates the ethics review process from the perspective of relevant stakeholders (e.g. REC members, researchers, children and families), based on a literature review, interviews and focus groups.

Contact: Heike Schmidt-Felzmann
E-mail: heike.felzmann@nuigalway.ie

HBSC 2006 Middle Childhood Survey

Date of publication: April 2009

The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey is a cross-national research study conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe (www.hbsc.org). The overall study aims are to gain new insight into, and increase our understanding of young people’s health and well-being, health behaviours and their social context. As well as serving a monitoring and a knowledge-generating function, one of the key objectives of HBSC is to inform policy and practice.

Previous HBSC Ireland surveys have included children aged 10-18 years. For the first time HBSC Ireland 2006 also surveyed children in 3rd and 4th classes in primary schools in order to collect data on children in their middle childhood years, as it was recognised that the data sources for this period of children’s lives in Ireland was not comprehensive.

Sampling was conducted in order to achieve a nationally representative sample of school-aged children and the school classroom was the primary sampling unit. The questionnaire for the 2006 Middle Childhood Study comprised an abbreviated version of that used in the main survey for HBSC Ireland 2006. Questionnaires were administered by teachers and completed anonymously and confidentially by children whilst in class. Data coding and entry complied with agreed international procedures. Overall, 122 schools across the country took part in the 2006 HBSC Middle Childhood survey, reflecting a response rate of 73% of schools, and with a final valid sample (n) of 3,404 students.

Contact person:  Dr. Saoirse Nic Gabhainn & Dr. Colette Kelly
Address:    HPRC, 12 Distillery Road, School of Health Sciences, NUI, Galway
Telephone:  091 493093 & 091 493186
Fax:    091 494577
E-mail:   saoirse.nicgabhainn@nuigalway.ie; colette.kelly@nuigalway.ie

Young People on Remand

Date of publication: 2008

The aim of this study is to establish the service and supports required by young people to promote greater compliance with the conditions of bail and reduce the use of detention on remand. The study is based on 30 interviews with young people, aged between 13-19 years, in the Children Detention School system or St. Patrick’s Institution, 19 interviews with parents and professionals, 218 case observations at the Dublin Children Court and a consultation survey with 120 professionals.

Contact: Dr. Mairéad Seymour
Address: School of Social Sciences and Legal Studies, Dublin Institute of Technology, Mountjoy Square Dublin 1
Telephone: + 353 1 4024133 d) Fax: + 353 1 4024263
E-mail: mairead.seymour@dit.ie

Service Users Perceptions of the Irish Child Protection System

Date of publication: 2008

This project evaluated child protection services from the perspective of service users. It elicited data from approximately 45 service users, including children and young people, and examined their perceptions of the type of response they received in respect of genuine participation, quality of service and manner of service delivery. It also examined the degree to which children and families consider that their identified needs have been addressed.

Contact: Dr. Helen Buckely
E-mail: hbuckely@tcd.ie

KIDSCREEN - Results of the KIDSCREEN National Survey 2005

Date of publication: 2008

KIDSCREEN measures subjective health and well-being of children to screen for and detect at an early stage the needs and gaps in children's services and resources. KIDSCREEN provides an evidence base to support policy, intervention and national planning for children. A national sample of 1,800 children was drawn from the 8 -18 year age group and the questionnaire was administered in schools nationwide.

Contact: Dr. Celia Keenaghan
E-mail: Celia.Keenaghan@mailb.hse.ie

Listening to children: Children's stories of domestic violence

Date of publication:2007

The aim of this research is to identify the impact on children of witnessing domestic violence, and to assess the nature and scope of services available for children in this area. The objective of the study is to construct a policy and practice framework, that deals with proposals for improved child-focused services and identifies best practice in the provision of such services. The research questions and aims of the study require a qualitative methodology, which will generate data from the perspective of children, mothers and key professionals working with victims of domestic violence. In-depth interviews will be conducted with a purposive sample of mothers (n=20), children (n=20) and key professionals (n=15) to explore their experiences and views. It is proposed that access to this population will be facilitated through refuges for victims of domestic violence.

Contact: Máire O' Reilly
E-mail: m.oreilly@wit.ie

Play and Technology for Children Aged 4-12

Date of publication:2007

This study of the role of technology in play provides an exploration of the play activities of Irish children (4-8 and 8-12), identifying technologies used in daily play patterns and looking at the wider implications for physiological and behavioural development, education and lifestyle.. The project presents children’s perspectives on the meanings, interpretations and value placed on technology-based play as well as documenting the views of parents and teachers on the opportunities and dangers involved.

Contact: Brian O'Neill
E-mail: brian.oneill@dit.ie

The Development and Implementation of Child Impact Statements in Ireland

Date of publication:2006
This research is located within the broader context of policy monitoring and evaluation and recognition of the unique position of children. It examines issues of definition, rationale, composition and methodology relating to child impact statements. The project is based on a national and international literature review and interviews with key actors.

Contact: Carmel Corrigan
E-mail: cmcorrigan@eircom.net

Lives in Foster Care - The Educational and Social Support Experiences of Young People aged 13-14, Years in Long-term Foster Care

Date of publication: 2005
This quantitative study looks at the day-to-day experiences of education and schooling for young people aged 13-14 years, in long-term foster care. The social supports available to there young people are also examined in terms of contact with birth family, friendship networks, and participation in hobbies,leisure activities of these young people.The relationship of placement conditions with the young people's education, schooling and social supports are also explored in the study.

Contact: Fiona Daly

E-mail: dalyfa@tcd.ie

Young People’s Views about Opportunities, Barriers and Supports to Recreation and Leisure in Ireland: Executive Summary

Date of publication:2005
This research explores, in an Irish context, young people’s use of leisure time, and their views about opportunities, barriers and supports to recreation and leisure. The study was commissioned in the context of policy development in the field of young people’s recreation and leisure.

Contact: Dr. Aine de Róiste / Joan Dinneen

E-mail: aderoiste@cit.ie / jdinneen@cit.ie

The Child’s Right to be heard in the Healthcare Setting: Perspectives of Children, Parents and Health Professionals

Date of publication:2006
The principal objective of this research is to determine the extent to which the voice of the child is heard within the healthcare setting. The research has three core elements: a literature review on the application of the child’s right to be heard in the healthcare setting; consultation with children and young people (aged between 5-11) parents and family members, health care professionals and voluntary groups active in the area and an analysis of the educational and training curricula of the medical professionals who work with children.
Contact: Dr. Ursula Kilkelly
E-mail: u.kilkelly@ucc.ie

Unequal at Birth - Inequalities in the Occurrence of Low Weight Babies in Ireland

Date of publication:2006
The principal objectives of this research are:

to assess the effect of socio-economic status on low birth weight using data from the National Perinatal Reporting System;
to consider these findings in the light of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS) target;
to explore the relationship between socio-economic status and low birth weight; and
to review the evidence for what works in reducing inequalities in birth weight.

This report found that babies born to parents who are unemployed were at over twice the risk of being low birth weight in 1999, when compared to those born to parents recorded as higher professionals. Teenage and unmarried mothers also had a significantly increased risk of having a low birth weight baby in that year.

Contact : Dr. Helen McAvoy
E-mail: Helen.McAvoy@publichealth.ie

Giving Children a Voice: Investigation of Children’s Experiences of Participation in Consultation and Decision-making in Irish Hospitals

Date of publication: 2006
The aim of this research is to examine children’s experiences of involvement and consultation in their own healthcare within the hospital setting. The objectives of the research are:

To describe children’s experiences of consultation in the healthcare setting;
To identify the factors that enhances children’s involvement in care and the decision-making process;
To identify the factors that hinder children from involvement in care and the decision-making process; and
To explore strategies that will empower children to participate in their own health care decisions.

Contact: Dr. Imelda Coyne
E-mail:imelda.coyne@dcu.ie

Second-level Student Councils in Ireland: A Study of Enablers, Barriers and Supports

Date of publication: 2005 The principal objectives of this research are:

to examine contemporary thinking on student councils;
to describe the operation of student councils in Ireland;
to identify enablers and barriers to good practice in the establishment, development and operation of Student councils as perceived by management, teachers, students and other key personnel;
to identify ways in which student councils can play a meaningful role in second-level schools;
to make recommendations about how student councils can be effectively supported;
to make recommendations on the training needs of all stakeholders.

Contact: Anna Fiona Keogh
E-mail: afkeogh@tcd.ie

Understanding Youth Homelessness in Dublin City: Key findings from the first phase of a longitudinal cohort study

Date of publication:2006
This research aims to examine the process of youth homelessness and to enhance current understanding of trajectories into, through and out of homelessness. A primary objective is to generate a perspective on youth homelessness based on the accounts and experiences of young people who are either temporarily or chronically without permanent shelter. The study identifies structural and psychological barriers to the access and use of services among homeless youth and makes policy recommendations related to service provision, early intervention and the prevention of negative health outcomes.

Contact: Dr. Paula Mayock
E-mail: pmayock@tcd.ie

Research in Progress

Post-Separation Parenting - A Study of Parent-Child Contact Agreements and Arrangements

The aim of this study is to classify the contact arrangements between parent and child that follow legal separation or divorce in Ireland and to explore their implications for children’s access to both parents. The researchers will attend sitting of the Family Law Circuit Courts.

Status of Research Project
Start date: October 2006
Completion date: June 2007
Contact: Dr. Evelyn Mahon
Address: School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College, Dublin 2
Telephone: + 353 1 8962314
Fax: + 353 1 46712262
E-mail: emahon@tcd.ie

Lives in Care – A Follow-up Study on the Educational and Social Support Experiences of Young People in Long-term Foster Care

This quantitative study is the second phase of a prospective study looking at the progress of a national cohort of young people in long-term foster care. Specifically, the study will re-examine at the day-to-day experiences of education and schooling for young people in long term foster care. The social supports available to these young people will also be revisited in terms of contact with birth family, friendship networks, and participation in hobbies, leisure activities.

Status of Research Project
Start date: June 2006
Completion date: March 2008
Contact: Professor Robbie Gilligan
Address: Children’s Research Centre, Trinity College, Dublin 2
Telephone: + 353 1 8961331
Fax: + 353 1 8963232
E-mail: robbie.gilligan@tcd.ie

Young People’s Homeless Pathways: A Longitudinal Perspective, Phase III

This longitudinal study of homeless young people aims to generate an in-depth understanding of the process of youth homelessness, with a particular focus on young people’s trajectories into, through and out of homelessness. The research is currently entering its third wave of data collection, having interviewed 40 young people for the first time in 2004-05 (baseline life history interviews) and conducted follow-up interviews with 30 of the study’s participants in 2006-07. Data collection for the third data sweep will commence in March 2009 and is expected to run over an eight-month period. The first and second waves of data collection have yielded valuable information on young people’s routes into and through homelessness (Mayock & Vekic, 2006; Mayock & O’Sullivan, 2007) and have also mapped a number of exit routes from homelessness (Mayock, Corr & O’Sullivan, 2008). The third wave will enhance understanding of the sustainability of homeless exits and also assist in identifying facilitators and barriers to exiting homelessness.

Status of Research Project:
Start date:  February 2009
Completion date: January 2010
Contact person:  Dr. Paula Mayock
Address:    Children’s Research Centre, Trinity College Dublin
Telephone:  +353 1 896 2636
Fax:    + 353 1 896 2347
E-mail:   pmayock@tcd.ie

Mapping Research on Children in Ireland 2000-2008

The aim of this project is to identify, document and interpret the tomography of published peer reviewed research on children (0 to 18 years) in Ireland (2000 to 2008).
Status of Research Project: The steps to be taken are:
Complete a systematic literature research
Source all identified relevant papers
Devise a structured crib sheet to ensure a systematic extraction of data from the identified literature
Create a database based on the devised crib sheet and relevant administrative variables
Extract data from the identified peer reviewed papers
Enter data into database
Undertake descriptive analysis of the nature of the research undertaken on children in Ireland in the identified time period

Six electronic databases with peer review papers/Ireland will be reviewed.

Start date:  November 2007
Completion date:
Contact person:  Dr Anne McCarthy
Address:    Child Health Epidemiology Division, Health Research Board, 73 Lower Baggot St, Dublin 4
Telephone:  00 353 1 234515
Fax:    00 353 1 6611856
E-mail:   amccarthy@hrb.ie

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Office of the Minister for Children, St. Martin's House, Waterloo Road, Dublin 4. Tel: +353 1 242 0000