Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

I skuggan av föräldrars alkoholmissbruk: Socialsekreterares perspektiv på barns delaktighet

Varmaz, Hanna LU (2026) SOAM21 20261
School of Social Work
Abstract
This study aimed to examine how social workers facilitate children's participation in investigations and decision-making processes concerning children whose parents have ongoing alcohol misuse, and identify factors influencing opportunities for participation. The study was based on a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with social workers working within child welfare services. The empirical material was analyzed through thematic analysis and interpreted using Shier’s model of participation, Eriksson and Näsman’s perspective on children’s positions, and the concept of professional discretion. The findings show that children’s participation cannot be understood exclusively as giving children the opportunity to... (More)
This study aimed to examine how social workers facilitate children's participation in investigations and decision-making processes concerning children whose parents have ongoing alcohol misuse, and identify factors influencing opportunities for participation. The study was based on a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with social workers working within child welfare services. The empirical material was analyzed through thematic analysis and interpreted using Shier’s model of participation, Eriksson and Näsman’s perspective on children’s positions, and the concept of professional discretion. The findings show that children’s participation cannot be understood exclusively as giving children the opportunity to express their views. Instead, participation emerged as a complex process shaped by relational, organizational, and professional factors. Trusting relationships between children and social workers were identified as essential for enabling children to express their experiences. Children’s age, loyalty toward parents, organizational constraints such as time limitations, and professional interpretations influenced the extent of participation. The findings further indicate that children's narratives are frequently interpreted and supplemented by other actors, which affects the legitimacy and influence of children's perspectives in decision-making processes. The study concludes that children’s participation is closely connected to issues of power, recognition, and professional interpretation within child welfare practice. (Less)
Popular Abstract (Swedish)
Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur socialsekreterare arbetar för att möjliggöra barns delaktighet i utredningar och beslutsprocesser som rör barn vars föräldrar har ett pågående alkoholmissbruk, samt att undersöka vilka faktorer som påverkar möjligheten till delaktighet. Studien genomfördes med en kvalitativ forskningsdesign där semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med socialsekreterare verksamma inom socialtjänstens individ- och familjeenheter. Det empiriska materialet analyserades genom tematisk analys och tolkades med hjälp av Shiers delaktighetsmodell, Eriksson och Näsmans perspektiv på barns positioner samt teorin om professionellt handlingsutrymme. Resultatet visar att barns delaktighet inte enbart kan förstås som att... (More)
Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur socialsekreterare arbetar för att möjliggöra barns delaktighet i utredningar och beslutsprocesser som rör barn vars föräldrar har ett pågående alkoholmissbruk, samt att undersöka vilka faktorer som påverkar möjligheten till delaktighet. Studien genomfördes med en kvalitativ forskningsdesign där semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med socialsekreterare verksamma inom socialtjänstens individ- och familjeenheter. Det empiriska materialet analyserades genom tematisk analys och tolkades med hjälp av Shiers delaktighetsmodell, Eriksson och Näsmans perspektiv på barns positioner samt teorin om professionellt handlingsutrymme. Resultatet visar att barns delaktighet inte enbart kan förstås som att barn ges möjlighet att uttrycka sina åsikter. Delaktighet framträder istället som en komplex process som formas av relationella, organisatoriska och professionella faktorer. Förtroendefulla relationer mellan barn och socialsekreterare framstår som en central förutsättning för att barn ska kunna uttrycka sina erfarenheter. Resultatet visar även att barns ålder, lojalitet gentemot föräldrar, organisatoriska begränsningar såsom tidsbrist samt professionella tolkningar påverkar graden av delaktighet. Studien visar vidare att barns berättelser ofta tolkas och kompletteras av andra aktörer, vilket påverkar barnets perspektivs legitimitet och betydelse i beslutsprocessen. Studien visar att barns delaktighet är nära kopplad till frågor om makt, erkännande och professionella bedömningar inom socialt arbete. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Varmaz, Hanna LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
In the Shadow of Parents' Alcohol Misuse: Social Workers' Perspectives on Children's Involvement and Participation
course
SOAM21 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
children's participation, child welfare, alcohol misuse, social workers, professional discretion, child perspective, barns delaktighet, socialtjänst, alkoholmissbruk, socialsekreterare, professionellt handlingsutrymme, barnperspektiv
language
Swedish
id
9234621
date added to LUP
2026-06-10 09:06:20
date last changed
2026-06-10 09:06:20
@misc{9234621,
  abstract     = {{This study aimed to examine how social workers facilitate children's participation in investigations and decision-making processes concerning children whose parents have ongoing alcohol misuse, and identify factors influencing opportunities for participation. The study was based on a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with social workers working within child welfare services. The empirical material was analyzed through thematic analysis and interpreted using Shier’s model of participation, Eriksson and Näsman’s perspective on children’s positions, and the concept of professional discretion. The findings show that children’s participation cannot be understood exclusively as giving children the opportunity to express their views. Instead, participation emerged as a complex process shaped by relational, organizational, and professional factors. Trusting relationships between children and social workers were identified as essential for enabling children to express their experiences. Children’s age, loyalty toward parents, organizational constraints such as time limitations, and professional interpretations influenced the extent of participation. The findings further indicate that children's narratives are frequently interpreted and supplemented by other actors, which affects the legitimacy and influence of children's perspectives in decision-making processes. The study concludes that children’s participation is closely connected to issues of power, recognition, and professional interpretation within child welfare practice.}},
  author       = {{Varmaz, Hanna}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{I skuggan av föräldrars alkoholmissbruk: Socialsekreterares perspektiv på barns delaktighet}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}