Abstract
The purpose of the study was to illustrate the experiences of health care staff and social workers in the social welfare services of working with families whose relationships are sub optimal. Thirteen health care staff and four social workers were interviewed concerning their experiences of attachment related problems between parents and their children. Content analysis was chosen for the analysis of the narratives.
Courage to detect and support families with attachment related problems were found to be a theme. The results of the analyses pointed out four categories; Walking a slack tightrope, Willingness and knowledge, The child in focus and Fragmented time. The informants considered that it was very important to find a balance in their relation with the parents. The staff had to be honest and at the same time careful not to scare off the parents. One of the personal qualities they deemed to be essential was a genuine interest in the topic as well as both theoretical knowledge and capability. The informants' opinion was that in most cases the perspective was focused on the children. The pace of work had increased and they experienced a shortage of time and lack of control in their work.
The findings indicate the importance for health care staff and social workers in the social welfare services of receiving training and support in the area of attachment related problems.