What the study found
International migrant families in a Brazilian border region reported that young children’s needs centered on nutrition, education, healthcare, supportive communities, structure, opportunities, and safety. The study also found that these needs were often not fully met.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that Brazilian policies provide access to essential supports, but do not fully address children’s developmental needs. The study suggests that policy guidelines and professional actions should go beyond basic health, education, and social protection to support responsive caregiving, emotionally supportive relationships, and stimulating activities.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used a phenomenological qualitative approach, which is a way of studying people’s lived experiences, with inductive thematic analysis. They interviewed 21 primary caregivers of children aged six years or younger from international migrant families living in a Brazilian border region.
What worked and what didn't
Caregivers prioritized nutrition, healthcare, education, and safety for their children. However, adversities including socioeconomic vulnerability, separation, discrimination, limited support, and parental stress were associated with many unmet needs and with reduced nurturing care for early childhood development.
What to keep in mind
The findings come from 21 primary caregivers in one Brazilian border region, so the scope is specific. The abstract does not describe additional limitations beyond this setting and participant group.
Key points
- Young children’s needs were described as including nutrition, education, healthcare, supportive communities, structure, opportunities, and safety.
- Many of those needs were reported as unmet in international migrant families.
- Caregivers prioritized nutrition, healthcare, education, and safety.
- The abstract links unmet needs to socioeconomic vulnerability, separation, discrimination, limited support, and parental stress.
- The authors say existing policies do not fully address children’s developmental needs.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Migrant families reported unmet needs for children’s development
- Authors:
- Gabriela Dominicci de Melo Casacio, Rosane Meire Munhak da Silva, Aisha Khizar Yousafzai, Débora Falleiros de Mello
- Institutions:
- Universidade de Ribeirão Preto, União Dinâmica de Faculdades Cataratas, Boston University, Harvard Global Health Institute
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-09
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with peer-reviewed research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.