Reflections of using CAIMeR-theory as theoretical, methodological and analytical framework

The topic of the Phd research project is how support family as child welfare intervention is constructed and functions. Support family is a way to provide regular one weekend in a month -respite care for the parent and new... [ view full abstract ]

The topic of the Phd research project is how support family as child welfare intervention is constructed and functions. Support family is a way to provide regular one weekend in a month -respite care for the parent and new contacts and a safe environment for the child in a stressful life situation. Support family is a voluntary family, providing social support to another family. A host of small scale studies have affirmed that the intervention is popular among service users, social workers and volunteers. But the intervention has never been evaluated, even if a wide definition of evaluation is used. (Brännström, Vinnerljung & Hjern 2013.) It can thus far been described as an essentially faith-based intervention.

The research questions are following: 1) What are the basic presumptions guiding the implementation of support family as intervention, 2) What kind of effects has the support for the children and parents, 3) What kind of mechanisms and contextual factors can explain the effects of support family intervention?

The theoretical and methodological framework of the research is grounded on critical realism and the CAIMer-theory (Blom & Morén 2010). The aim of the CAIMeR-theory (Context –Actor-Intervention-Mechanism-Result) is to create explanative knowledge: how and why results emerge from the content of an intervention. It provides a holistic approach to research social work practice and social work interventions. In empirical work the model can be combined with different type of qualitative and quantitative data: journals, interviews, questionnaires and diaries etc. In the research project CAIMer-theory is applied to study and open up one singular intervention and its “black box”. In the presentation experiences and first steps of a CAIMeR-theory based data collection and analysis will be reflected and discussed.