Implications of Foster Care on Attachment: A Literature Review

Abstract

This article provides a review of the literature in attachment theory, outcomes of being in foster care, impacts of trauma, and long-term attachment outcomes of foster care alumni. Thus far, minimal research has been conducted on the topic of attachment outcomes of foster care alumni in general as related to the field of marriage and family therapy. Attachment outcomes of foster care alumni is an important area to understand for marriage and family therapists because of the connection between attachment and relational functioning. The purpose of this article is to help gain an initial understanding of the experiences of foster care alumni and how those experiences may impact their development of attachment styles. Exploring this topic assists clinicians in providing services to children currently in foster care, foster care alumni, and their families.

Untangling the Complexities of Substance Use Initiation and Recovery: Client Reflections on Opioid Use Prevention and Recovery From a Social-Ecological Perspective

“… 53 Substance use by parents or guardians may impact the ability to provide nurturance to the children and increases the risk of involvement with the Child Protection Services which, when parents are separated from their children, results in trauma to both. 53 , 54 Given the negative impact of separating children from their parents, efforts should therefore be made to build capacity for parents using substances to manage their parenting responsibilities safely or concurrently receive treatment and parenting services. 55…”

Fostering Relational Healing: The Use of CPRT with Foster Caregivers to Promote Family Success

“…A majority of children in foster care have endured various forms of abuse, neglect, and maltreatment; however, the deepest wound is often the loss of parents, siblings, and family which occurs when the child is removed from their home. Parental separation may result in a perceived lack of control and feelings of insecurity, which can inhibit children's abilities to form positive attachments with caring adults (Miranda et al, 2019). For children with multiple foster family placement disruptions, these separations can be experienced as additional attachment traumas, which may in turn have larger impacts on their need and motivation for establishing healthy relationships in the future.…”

“…Children and adolescents’ attachment styles may be negatively affected by sporadic emotional bonds with adults working in the child welfare system (Miranda et al, 2019). Previous studies revealed long-term consequences for youth who endured placement disruptions and instability, including worsening mental health and behavioral problems (McGuire et al, 2018), increased PTSD symptoms (Bederian-Gardner et al, 2018), substance use (Stott, 2012), and decreased inhibitory control and executive functioning (Fisher et al, 2013; Pears et al, 2010).…”

Coparenting, Negative Educational Outcomes, and Familial Instability in Justice-involved Families

“…Further, a qualitative study found that foster care alumni recounted experiencing traumatic events such as physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse during childhood (Miranda, Tadros, et al, 2019). Removal from the origin family poses challenges for children in foster care to bond or develop attachments with their new caregivers (Miranda, Molla, et al, 2019). This may be even more difficult for a child who has already experienced parental incarceration.…”