Facilitating Supportive Conversations With Youth: A Dyadic Mixed-Methods Study of a Brief Narrative Sharing Intervention

Abstract

Research in family and peer systems has demonstrated the value of supportive conversations in helping children understand and express emotions around challenging experiences. The aim of this study was to explore the patterns, perceptions, and outcomes of a brief narrative sharing intervention designed to facilitate supportive conversations with youth. We utilized a mixed-methods approach with concurrent data collection among 88 parent–child, peer–peer, and researcher–child dyads. Data were collected through audio-recorded interviews and surveys. We used inductive and deductive coding to characterize interviewer behaviors. Qualitative and quantitative data were integrated to identify patterns in interviews and outcomes. Participants reported high levels of listener supportiveness, comforting responses, and insights through the activity. Integration of data revealed patterns of emotion coaching and participant perceptions in five types of interviews. The brief narrative sharing activity can be tailored by family nurses to support parents and youth in engaging in supportive, strengths-based conversations.