Furthering the understanding of parent-child relationships: a nursing scholarship review series. Part 1: Introduction.

PURPOSE: Understanding the parent-child relationship is fundamental to nursing of children and families. The purpose of this integrative review is to explore nursing scholarship published from 1980-2008 concerning parent-child relationships. Study approaches are examined, critiqued, and future directions for research identified.
CONCLUSIONS: A historical review of nursing research is presented and methods described as an introduction to a review series of the parent-child relationship. IMPLICATIONS: Definition and explication of the parent-child relationship is a first-step in understanding factors amenable to nursing intervention. A clear definition of the concept of parent-child relationship will support further study using appropriate theoretical frameworks, and enable development and testing of supportive nursing interventions.