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In search of connection: The foster youth and caregiver relationship

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  • Storer, Heather L.
  • Barkan, Susan E.
  • Stenhouse, Linnea L.
  • Eichenlaub, Caroline
  • Mallillin, Anastasia
  • Haggerty, Kevin P.

Abstract

Placement instability is an ongoing challenge for the 125,000 foster youth aged 14–18 that are living in foster care, with youth living in approximately 3 placements before aging out of the system. Despite the importance caring adult relationships can play in promoting positive youth development and resiliency, there has been limited inquiry into the characteristics of the foster youth and caregiver relationship. The goal of this paper is to provide a descriptive account of the foster youth and caregiver relationship, and explore what qualities and experiences foster youth desire from their caregivers. Qualitative data were gathered from 9 focus groups. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis approaches. Foster youth, caregivers, and child welfare staff described relationships lacking in formative bonds and connection, where youth didn't “fit in”, and chaotic homes marked by reactivity and judgment. Characteristics of supportive foster homes include a sense of belonging, structure, guidance, and consistency. This research underscores the important role positive relationships can play in foster youth's feelings of well-being and points to the need for foster parent training to include tangible strategies to develop stronger bonds.

Suggested Citation

  • Storer, Heather L. & Barkan, Susan E. & Stenhouse, Linnea L. & Eichenlaub, Caroline & Mallillin, Anastasia & Haggerty, Kevin P., 2014. "In search of connection: The foster youth and caregiver relationship," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 110-117.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:42:y:2014:i:c:p:110-117
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.04.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Havlicek, Judy, 2011. "Lives in motion: A review of former foster youth in the context of their experiences in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1090-1100, July.
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    5. Samuels, Gina Miranda, 2009. "Ambiguous loss of home: The experience of familial (im)permanence among young adults with foster care backgrounds," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(12), pages 1229-1239, December.
    6. Shin, Sunny Hyucksun, 2005. "Need for and actual use of mental health service by adolescents in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(10), pages 1071-1083, October.
    7. Samuels, Gina Miranda & Pryce, Julia M., 2008. ""What doesn't kill you makes you stronger": Survivalist self-reliance as resilience and risk among young adults aging out of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(10), pages 1198-1210, October.
    8. Coakley, Tanya M. & Cuddeback, Gary & Buehler, Cheryl & Cox, Mary Ellen, 2007. "Kinship foster parents' perceptions of factors that promote or inhibit successful fostering," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 92-109, January.
    9. Singer, Erin Rebecca & Berzin, Stephanie Cosner & Hokanson, Kim, 2013. "Voices of former foster youth: Supportive relationships in the transition to adulthood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2110-2117.
    10. Whenan, Rachel & Oxlad, Melissa & Lushington, Kurt, 2009. "Factors associated with foster carer well-being, satisfaction and intention to continue providing out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(7), pages 752-760, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lotty, Maria & Bantry-White, Eleanor & Dunn-Galvin, Audrey, 2020. "The experiences of foster carers and facilitators of Fostering Connections: The Trauma-informed Foster Care Program: A process study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    2. Onovbiona, Harlee & Mapes, Ayla R. & Quetsch, Lauren B. & Theodorou, Laurie L. & McNeil, Cheryl B., 2023. "Parent-child interaction therapy for children in foster care and children with posttraumatic stress: Exploring behavioral outcomes and graduation rates in a large state-wide sample," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    3. Cooley, Morgan E. & Womack, Bethany & Rush, Jacqueline & Slinskey, Kristie, 2020. "Adverse childhood experiences among foster parents: Prevalence and association with resilience, coping, satisfaction as a foster parent, and intent to continue fostering," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    4. Haggerty, Kevin P. & Barkan, Susan E. & Skinner, Martie L. & Hanson, Koren, 2021. "Proximal outcomes of Connecting, an evidence-based, family-focused prevention program for caregivers of adolescents in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    5. Thompson, Heather M. & Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson & Cooley, Morgan E., 2016. "Self-esteem: A mediator between peer relationships and behaviors of adolescents in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 109-116.
    6. Hébert, Sophie T. & Lanctôt, Nadine & Turcotte, Mathilde, 2016. "“I didn't want to be moved there”: Young women remembering their perceived sense of Agency in the Context of placement instability," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 229-237.
    7. Findley, Erin & Praetorius, Regina T., 2023. "Points of foster parent stress in the system: A qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    8. Blakeslee, Jennifer & Kothari, Brianne H. & McBeath, Bowen & Sorenson, Paul & Bank, Lew, 2017. "Network indicators of the social ecology of adolescents in relative and non-relative Foster households," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 173-181.
    9. Gatwiri, Kathomi & Cameron, Nadine & McPherson, Lynne & Mitchell, Janise, 2022. "Care experienced LGBTQA + young people in out-of-home care in Australia: A case study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    10. Ball, Barbara & Sevillano, Lalaine & Faulkner, Monica & Belseth, Tymothy, 2021. "Agency, genuine support, and emotional connection: Experiences that promote relational permanency in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    11. Colacchio Wesley, Bridget & Pryce, Julia & Barry, Johanna & Hong, Philip Young P., 2020. "Steadfast benevolence: A new framework for understanding important adult-youth relationships for adolescents in care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    12. Zhan, Weihai & Smith, Susan R. & Warner, Lynette C. & North, Fred & Wilhelm, Sara & Nowak, Amanda, 2019. "Quality of life among children and adolescents in foster family homes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    13. Cooley, Morgan E. & Thompson, Heather M. & Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson, 2017. "Risk, resilience, and complexity: Experiences of foster parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 35-41.
    14. Haysom, Zoë & McKibbin, Gemma & Shlonsky, Aron & Hamilton, Bridget, 2020. "Changing considerations of matching foster carers and children: A scoping review of the research and evidence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).

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