Aim: Describe empowerment in maternity and child healthcare from the perspective of self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer (LGBTQ) parents in Finland.
Background: Parental empowerment is a core aspect of maternity and child healthcare. However, knowledge about LGBTQ parents' perceptions about empowerment is still lacking.
Method: Qualitative design, 22 parents participating. The interviews were conducted in between July and September 2016 and analysed using inductive content analysis.
Findings: Three core categories emerged as follows: (a) recognition and acknowledgment, particularly being treated as a parent, irrespective of any biological or legal ties to a child; (b) cooperation and interaction, such as working together, respecting parents' autonomy, and supporting parents' full involvement; (c) equitable care, such as parents' trust in services, but also a health-care professional's knowledge of a family's special needs.
Conclusion: Empowerment was perceived as the parents' sense of being visible and recognized as a parent. This recognition requires education and structures that are inclusive of all families. In addition, the language used by professionals was a key indicator for promoting positive feelings of comfort and safety for all families.
Keywords: LGBTQ parents; family nursing; maternity and child health-care services; parental empowerment.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.