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In this paper we describe a method for exploring young children's views of illness causality in social context. Studies of children's conceptualisation of illness have predominantly focused on the nature of children's knowledge rather than locating that knowledge within socio-cultural contexts. Adopting a socio-constructivist perspective we sought to identify the ways in which young children's illness causality concepts are embedded in the socio-cultural context of the family. Interviews were undertaken with four-year-old children, their parents/guardians, sibling/s aged five to nine years and two other family members. To aid the elicitation of young children's narrative accounts of illness causality, children were invited to construct a storybook about "getting sick" utilising art materials and photographs of children experiencing illness. In this paper we describe this method, discuss its utility in eliciting illness narratives from pre-school children and provide suggestions for the use of this method in future research.

The present study examines four-year-old children's everyday understandings of illness causality. Research into young children's conceptualisation of illness has led to different expectations of children's comprehension and ongoing debate regarding the nature of children's knowledge. Awareness of preschoolers' spontaneous views of illness causality, rather than explanations restricted by predetermined response categories, is likely to assist practitioners to provide more appropriate interventions for young children. Adopting a socio-constructivist perspective of children's learning and development, and using a narrative methodology, we interviewed five preschoolers regarding their views of illness causality. As part of the interview process children were invited to construct their own storybooks about illness using photographs of children experiencing illness and a variety of art materials. Analysis of young children's narrative accounts revealed two major threads regarding children's illness causality constructions: (1) “behaviour-based explanations for illness”, and (2) “illness prevention messages and behavioural rules”. Findings suggest that four-year-olds' understanding may be more sophisticated than traditionally maintained, and that the illness prevention messages and behavioural rules within sociocultural contexts may significantly influence children's conceptualisation of illness causality. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article we highlight the ways in which young children draw on their family contexts in their meaning making about the causes of illness. Studies of young children’s understanding of illness causality have largely focused on the nature of children’s knowledge rather than the ways in which children acquire their knowledge. Seeking to advance a socio-constructivist understanding of young children’s conceptualization of illness causality, we interviewed five four-year-old children and their family members. Analysis of participants’ narrative accounts suggests that young children’s illness causality constructions are significantly influenced by the particular illness experiences, illness prevention messages and behavioural rules within families. By identifying and acknowledging young children’s meaning making within the socio-cultural context of the family, health practitioners may be better placed to develop effective health education programmes and provide enhanced psychosocial support for young children and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]