Objective:
To identify the effects that children have on family relationships and identify the ranking of concerns of parents with and without twin children.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was developed with 265 parents with small children, of which 143 had twin children. The instruments used for data collection were: the Family Impact Questionnaire and the Parent Concerns Questionnaire.
Results:
The most important parenting concerns in both groups were: “Lack of sleep and tiredness”; “Financially providing for the family”; “Increased chores and housework”; “Individual stress about roles and responsibilities.” The greatest impact felt by the family was in respect to finances and this value was significantly higher in families with twin children.
Conclusion:
Nursing professionals must care for the main difficulties perceived by parents by promoting strategies and fostering resource mobilization.
Parent-child relations; Primary care nursing; Maternal-child nursing; Family relationships; Twins