Exploration of Children's Health and Self-Care Behavior within a Family Context Through Qualitative Research

The family context for children's health-related learning is explored through qualitative research. Data from one dual-career, middle-class, two-parent family with school-age children reveals health and general family situation conceptual categories. A core conceptual category, maintenance of structure and order in family life, is identified. Relationships are evident between and among this category, health-related conceptual categories concerning children's practice of health habits and responsibility children assume for self-care, and other general family situation conceptual categories.