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Maltreated children's emotional availability with kin and non-kin foster mothers: A sociobiological perspective

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  • Lawler, Michael J.

Abstract

Relationship differences between maltreated child-kin foster mother dyads and maltreated child-non-kin foster mother dyads were examined using Emotional Availability (EA) Scales. A sample of 106 maltreated children (2-8 years old), referred for mental health services, and their biological/kin (n = 50) or non-kin (n = 56) foster mothers were assessed for EA in semi-structured play sessions. After controlling for child's age, foster mother's age, foster mother's education, and placement duration, foster mother's status as kin or non-kin did not predict emotional availability between maltreated child and foster mother. Findings did not support the hypothesis of a sociobiological-based relationship advantage for kin foster placements. Limitations of the clinical sample of foster children and the lack of measurements for external support are discussed.

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  • Lawler, Michael J., 2008. "Maltreated children's emotional availability with kin and non-kin foster mothers: A sociobiological perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(10), pages 1131-1143, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:30:y:2008:i:10:p:1131-1143
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lesch, E. & Deist, M. & Booysen, L. & Edwards, E., 2013. "South African social workers' knowledge of attachment theory and their perceptions of attachment relationships in foster care supervision," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 1101-1109.
    2. Lawler, Michael J. & Shaver, Phillip R. & Goodman, Gail S., 2011. "Toward relationship-based child welfare services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 473-480, March.
    3. Perry, Kristin J. & Price, Joseph M., 2018. "Concurrent child history and contextual predictors of children's internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 125-136.
    4. Day, Angelique G. & Murphy, Kerrie S. & Whitekiller, Virginia Drywater, 2021. "Characteristics and competencies of successful resource parents working in Indian country: A systematic review of the research," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    5. Hassall, Alison & McKenna, Sarah & Pasalich, Dave S., 2024. "How does kinship and foster care differ on caregiver-child relationship quality and child and caregiver mental health?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    6. Marc Winokur & Amy Holtan & Keri E. Batchelder, 2014. "Kinship Care for the Safety, Permanency, and Well‐being of Children Removed from the Home for Maltreatment: A Systematic Review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(1), pages 1-292.
    7. Sattler, Kierra M.P. & Herd, Toria & Font, Sarah A., 2023. "Foster care, kinship care, and the transition to adulthood: Do child welfare system processes explain differences in outcomes?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    8. Font, Sarah A., 2015. "Are children safer with kin? A comparison of maltreatment risk in out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 20-29.

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