‘Undergraduate students’ experiences of participating in a Danish respite programme for young carers- A mixed Methods Study’

Author(s): Nissen, Karina Brix; Laursen, Sisse Heiden; Udsen, Flemming Witt; Haslund-Thomsen, Helle
Publisher: The International Journal of Health Planning and Management
Year Published: 2022
Resource type: Peer Reviewed Research Article

Summary:

This article explores the perspectives of undergraduate students from the University College of Northern Denmark volunteering on the Buddies for Children and Youngsters (BCY) programme. Specifically, this study aims to investigate the extent to which students relational and communication competency improved and/or if they felt better equipped for their future work. This study used a mixed methods approach, collecting questionnaire responses from forty-two students and engaging 17 students in four focus groups. Within the focus groups, three themes were identified: communication competencies; relational competencies; and equipped for future work with children. Findings suggest that all students experienced some degree of improvement in their communication and relational competencies and felt better equipped for
their future work. The study concluded that the BCY programme had a positive impact on
students’ communication and relational competencies and therefore, is an important
programme that helps students clarify whether they want to work with children in the future.

Citation: Nissen, K. B., Laursen, S. H., Udsen, F. W., & Haslund-Thomsen, H. (2022). Undergraduate students’ experiences of participating in a Danish respite programme for young carers- A mixed methods study. The International Journal of Health Planning and Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3602

Keywords: Children, professional competence, respite programme, undergrad-uate students, volunteering, young carers

Where the data was collected: University College of Northern Denmark