Child Care and Development in the Migration Context of Brazil: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Study at an International Border.
Gabriela D M Casacio, Rosane M M Silva, Ana L Penna and 3 others
PMID 40394712WHAT IT FOUND
Immigrant parents in Brazil maintain strong physical care and bonding but struggle to provide play and stimulation due to stress, language barriers, and isolation.
Children with these risk factors often show developmental delays, requiring clinicians to actively screen for social determinants rather than assuming neglect.
Key findings
01Caregivers consistently performed basic nurturing tasks like feeding and holding, but less than half engaged in physical or object-based stimulation.
02Among the subset of children assessed, nearly one-third showed developmental concerns or probable delays, linked by parents and staff to language barriers, discrimination, and lack of social support.
03Schools and healthcare services were identified as critical support systems that could mitigate stress and improve child adaptation when they offered cultural inclusion and language assistance.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Convenience sampling limits generalizability. No sample size calculation was possible due to lack of municipal data. Language differences (Portuguese interviews with Spanish-speaking participants) may have led to missed cultural nuances. Self-selection bias likely occurred as some caregivers declined participation due to fear of identification or loss of social benefits. Developmental screening was only completed for a small subset (30 children), not the full sample.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the low rates of object stimulation as parental neglect or lack of knowledge. The study shows parents value these activities but are constrained by severe socio-economic stress, lack of resources, and social isolation, which are the primary targets for intervention.