Kinship foster parents' perceptions of factors that promote or inhibit successful fostering

Abstract

A better understanding of kinship foster families' perceptions of the familial factors and parenting beliefs that promote or inhibit successful fostering can inform child welfare practice and policy. To this end, and to extend previous research [Buehler, C., Cox, M. E., and Cuddeback, G. (2003). Foster parents' perceptions of factors that promote or inhibit successful fostering. Qualitative Social Work: Research and Practice, 2(1), 61-84.], semi-structured interviews were conducted with kinship foster parents to explore their perceptions with regard to the familial factors and parenting beliefs that promote or inhibit successful fostering. Nine kinship foster parents from 8 families were interviewed. The results of this study were compared to the results of the Buehler et al. [Buehler, C., Cox, M. E., and Cuddeback, G. (2003). Foster parents' perceptions of factors that promote or inhibit successful fostering. Qualitative Social Work: Research and Practice, 2(1), 61-84.] study on nonkinship foster parents. Similar themes emerged from both groups, but kinship foster parents described more complex issues with their families-of-origin. Characteristics that promote successful fostering of kin include support of family, commitment to children, faith, good parenting abilities, church involvement, flexibility, and adequate resources. Characteristics that inhibit successful fostering of kin include strained relations with birth family, poor discipline strategies, inability to deal with "the system," lack of resources, and inability to deal with children's emotional, behavioral, physical problems. The findings suggest a need to focus on special training and support services for kinship foster parents, as well as assessments specific to kinship fostering.

Hearing the voices of kinship foster carers in Northern Ireland: an inquiry into characteristics, needs and experiences

“…Thus, according to Kirton et al (2007, p. 8 Building on this theme, several of the survey respondents, and all of those interviewed, reported that managing contact with birth parents was challenging and emotionally stressful because of the complex family relationships involved. This echoed the findings of previous research where tensions in relationships with birth parents were more common in kinship care arrangements compared to non-kinship placements (Coakley et al, 2007;Farmer, 2010;McSherry et al, 2013). The respondents in this study were not explicit about their support needs in relation to contact arrangements but found this to be a difficult and upsetting issue to discuss.…”

“…Moreover, since many kinship placements arise due to a family crisis, carers may not have adequate time, nor the financial and practical resources, to prepare for the imposed changes (Coakley et al, 2007;Palacios and Jimenez, 2009). Moreover, the sense of being ill-prepared, can accentuate stress in the early stages of the placement (Denby, 2011b).…”

“…Importantly, a kinship placement becomes more tenuous when there are strained relationships between these actors (Coakley et al, 2007).…”

Comparing long-term placements for young children in care: Does placement type really matter?

“…Kinship carers can have additional stressors (Whelan, 2003). Often, a child is placed in their care at a time of crisis and they have little or no time to prepare or to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments (Coakley, Cuddeback, Buehler, & Cox, 2007 . In these studies, adopted children's be-haviour is closely associated with their parents' stress levels, with parents of more troubled children experiencing higher levels of stress (Judge, 2003;McGlone et al, 2002).…”

Success on their own terms : youths' perspectives on what it means to be successful in foster care.

“…Buehler, Cox, and Cuddeback (2003) reported that foster parents identified factors such as support from church, a concern for child-wellbeing, tolerance, and strong marriage, flexibility, and routine. Similarly, in examining kinship foster parent's perceptions about successful fostering, Coakley, Cuddeback, Buehler, and Cox (2007) delineated twelve perceived factors that contribute to success. These include faith, good parenting abilities, church involvement and flexibility.…”