Family health climate: a qualitative exploration of everyday family life and health

Abstract Background The family is an important social environment for children’s, adolescents’ and adults’ health. However, studies mostly focused on dyadic unidirectional influences of parents their children. Studies addressing arising from daily life including family-level are rare the existing solely focus relevance children’s health or health-related behaviors. We use a qualitative approach to explore how its inherent cues affect members’ physical activity eating behavior. Methods Semi-structured interviews utilizing interview guide were conducted. Since we aimed examine life, analyzed both parents’ views interaction patterns environmental individuals’ Twenty-two members seven families interviewed. Transcripts systematically following Grounded Theory principles. Results revealed that various individual as well factors shape aspects life. A model was developed organizes these influencing with regard interactions emergence Family Health Climate (FHC) – reflecting shared perceptions cognitions regarding healthy lifestyle within consequences. time, often realized through meals, key families’ nutrition activity. FHC showed related behavior members. Conclusions sheds light underlying processes mechanisms Based better understanding association between development family-based interventions can be informed. Furthermore, insights help further research focusing system.