Current literature establishes a relationship between maternal depression and offspring depression. Goodman and Gotlib’s “Developmental Model for Understanding Mechanisms of Transmission” suggests possible mechanisms including attachment. Prior research also demonstrates a link between fathers’ depression and pediatric psychopathology risk, but further research is needed to elucidate the effect of other non-parental caregivers. Children raised by both types of non-parental caregivers are vulnerable to attachment disruptions due to separation from their parental caregivers and the prevalence of children residing with these caregivers is on the rise in recent years. Using the Goodman and Gotlib framework, this study examined the relation between caregiver depressive symptoms and child depressive symptoms via attachment. Findings suggest that attachment indeed mediates the relation and further, that there were group differences in child’s attachment level between foster children and grandchildren.

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This study examined factors predictive of post foster care outcomes, with a particular focus on Emotional Intelligence (EI). EI was conceptualized using Bar-On's mixed model approach. Central study questions examined whether EI offered incremental prediction of several meaningful outcomes, over and above other contextual and individual variables. Outcomes included educational attainment, income level, various domains of Quality of Life (QOL), and mental health functioning. Twenty one foster alumni participated in the study. Correlational and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. Predictor variables were organized into four blocks and entered using a hierarchical method in the following order: contextual foster care factors, transitional factors, general intelligence (IQ) and EI. Given the small sample size, relevant effect size estimates were used to interpret effects. Results of correlational analyses indicated that EI was meaningfully positively correlated with post-care educational attainment, income, personal growth, marital and extramarital relations, job characteristics and IQ. EI was inversely correlated with depression and anxiety. The results of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that EI was the most robust predictor of post foster care outcomes: including annual income, educational attainment, personal growth, job characteristics, extra-marital, marital and extended family relations, depression and anxiety over and above contextual foster care factors, transitional factors, and IQ. Given the study's small sample size, results are regarded as tentative and in need of subsequent replication. Despite relevant limitation, EI is considered an important construct worthy of further study in the foster care population.

Följande uppsats syftade till att undersöka hur en standardiserad bedömningsmetod för rekrytering av familjehem (BRA-fam) implementerats utifrån ett urval av de kommuner som deltog i Socialstyrelsens pilotstudie (bilaga 1). Även sambandet mellan delaktighet och tillfredsställelse med implementering och förhållandet mellan forskning, profession och brukare undersöktes. Empirin har samlats in kvantitativt genom telefonintervjuer baserade på strukturerade enkäter. 46 kommuner som ingick i pilotstudien kontaktades, varav 30 familjehemsutredare besvarade frågorna (bilaga 2). Svaren har därefter redovisats och tolkats i form av tabeller och i text. Resultaten som analyserats och relaterats till teorier visar att utredning med BRA-fam-metoden upplevdes ha hög validitet och reliabilitet. Dock fanns svagheter i resultatet avseende delaktigheten i både metodval och implementering av metoden vilket kan bero på för få deltagare i undersökningen.Sammanfattningsvis framkom behov av att utvärdera rekryteringsmetoder inom familjehemsvården då implementering och användningen av metoden skiljer sig åt.Kommunerna har inte implementerat BRA-fam i sin helhet utifrån Socialstyrelsens rekommendationer. Användandet av metoden kan även skilja sig mellan såväl kommuner som privata aktörer. Förslag på förbättringsåtgärder och utvecklingsområden avseende implementering av metoder redovisas under rubrik Diskussioner och slutsatser.Ytterligare förslag ges för att närma sig en evidensbaserad, likvärdig och enhetlig rekryterings-metod inom familjehemsvården i Sverige. Detta för att om möjligt stödja, stärka och främja relationen mellan forskning, profession och brukare framöver och för att kunna möta de förändringar och utmaningar som ett samhälle utsätts och bär ansvar för. / The following essay purpose was to examine how a standardized assessment method for recruitment of foster homes (BRA-fam) implemented on a selection of the municipalities that participated in the National Board of Health and Welfare´s pilot study (appendix 1). The connection between participation and satisfaction with the implementation and the relationship between research, professionals and foster care system were also examined. Empirical data was gathered through quantity telephone interviews based on structured questionnaires. 46 municipalities who participated in the pilot study were contacted, of which 30 foster investigators answered the questions (appendix 2). The answers are then interpreted and reported in the form of tables and in the text. The results were analyzed and related to theories shows that investigation with BRA-fam method was perceived to have high validity and reliability. However, there were weaknesses concerning participation in both the methodology and implementation of this but might be consequences due to few participants.In summary, it emerged the need to evaluate the recruitment methods in practices within the foster home system and BRA-fam because the implementation and use of the method may differ. The municipalities have not implemented BRA-fam in its entirely based on the National Board of Health and Welfare recommendations. The use of the method differs between both municipalities and private operators. Suggestions for improvement and developmental areas regarding implementation of methods are presented in Discussion and conclusions.Further suggestions are given for approaching an evidence based, equitable and consistent recruitment method in foster care in Sweden. To support, strengthen and promote the relationship between research, professionals and social service users in the future and to meet the changes and challenges that a society is exposed to and responsible.

The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of possible foster families’ views on fostering a child and what they consider to be important factors for deciding whether or not to become a foster family. The studys result is based on five semi-structured interviews with persons whom have an interest for becoming foster families and the findings were analyzed by using a norm theory. The way that the interviewed people described their views on fostering a child could in the analysis be seen as a result of different norms and they often described the ideal foster family based on either their own family or the nuclear family.

The aim of this study was to examine how foster-care workers use their discretion, also how they evaluate foster-care investigations and which criteria affects the outcome of the investigations. Our focus group were social workers from four middle-sized municipalities and two social workers from the private sector. Two overall themes were identified after our interviews, both with underlying themes: discretion during investigation and criteria for foster-care takers.The analysis was based on previous research and theory. Our main conclusions were that social workers’ discretion is affected by the guidelines and methods established at their workplace. Also that the criterias for foster-care takers depends on the situation, but the foster child needs his or her own room in the home and the foster parent can not appear in criminal records.

Orientador: Débora Cristina Fonseca / Resumo: O acolhimento de crianças e adolescentes na residência de famílias acolhedoras é uma modalidade de atendimento destinada à crianças e adolescentes com direitos violados. Legitimado junto a política de assistência social foi, em 2006, organizado e normatizado, descritivamente, no Plano Nacional de Proteção, Promoção e Defesa dos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente à Convivência Familiar e Comunitária. Considerando ser um serviço inovador no âmbito da proteção social este estudo teve por objetivo conhecer as diferenças relacionais, educacionais e culturais que surgem no processo de acolhimento e os impactos que produzem nas histórias de vida dos membros da família acolhedora. Especificamente, se propôs a compreender as concepções que as famílias acolhedoras constroem sobre a criança, a família de origem e a violação de direito que culminou na medida protetiva; conhecer como ocorrem os processos de vinculação e ruptura de vínculos, pressupostos na ação de acolher e verificar se as diferenças geram conflitos e quais recursos educacionais, psicológicos e sociais as famílias acolhedoras utilizam para enfrentar essas diferenças. Utilizou-se como instrumento de coleta de dados dois grupos focais: um com os guardiões e cuidadores adultos; e outro com os filhos crianças e adolescentes das famílias acolhedoras. A análise dos dados se orientou a luz da metodologia dos núcleos de significação apreendidos a partir dos conteúdos produzidos pelos grupos focais, orientados pela psicologia só... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The sheltering of childerns and adolescents in foster families is a modality of foster care intended for children and adolescents who have their violated by neglet, abuse or violence. Legitimized with the social assistance policy, in 2006 it was organized and normalized, descriptively, in the National Plan of Protection, the Promotion and Defense of the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Family and Community Living. Considering that it is an innovative service in the area of social protection, this study aims to evaluate the relational, educational and cultural differences that arise in the reception process and the impacts they produce in the life stories of the members of the foster family. Specifically, this work intends to understand the conceptions that the foster families construct on the child, the biological family and the violation of right that culminated in the protective measure; to understand how the processes the of attachment and rupture of the relationships occur, assumptions in the action of welcoming. This research anchored in the contributions of socio-historical psychology that aims to find, in particular, the instance of social totality. With de adults, were identified 7 (seven) groups of significance, being: group 1 – The experience with de contradictions: the foster family feelings in the experience of attachment and detachment; Group 2 – The disconexion: dilemma as between farewell and the maintenance of bond; Group 3 –thebiological family valution ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

About half a million children live in out-of-home care, generally due to state intervention (Children’s Bureau, 2016). The outcomes of youth in treatment are improved when they have stable relationships with caregiving adults. Group homes based on the Teaching-Family Model utilize a married couple who live in the home and are the primary care treatment providers. The present study employed a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experience of eight men who have worked in this role for at least a year. Intrapersonal and interpersonal processes and motivations were identified as common themes among respondents for how and why they continued in a difficult job and lifestyle. Implications for Teaching-Family Model group homes and foster care agencies are discussed, as well as possible directions for further research.

This study focused on the reason that close to 500,000 children were in the foster care system in 2009 in the United States, and the average length of care was over 26 months. The primary focus was why foster parents are unable to form a bond with the children placed in their home and the effects of not forming any attachment to the children. The results can be extremely negative for the children for many reasons including the foster parents not being invested in the child and providing only minimal standards of care. Moreover, the child does not receive the nurturance or guidance so desperately needed. The child’s wellbeing was not the primary focus of the foster parent. The child is unable to learn the core value of caring, nor form healthy relationships and unfortunately cannot develop or express other healthy emotions. This compromises the child’s ability to function in society as a healthy productive member. Further examined was the perspective of the child as to what the children’s social worker could do differently.

This study examines whether participation in Extended Foster Care (EFC) or the Aftercare Program increase perceptions of independence in former and current foster dependents ages eighteen and older. Foster youth have historically experienced worse outcomes than the general population after reaching age 18. This study surveyed 72 young adults, 36 were in Extended Foster Care (EFC) and 36 were in the Aftercare Program in San Bernardino County. The areas examined were demographics, health care, employment, transportation, education, housing, mental health, pregnancy/parenting status, social support, services received in Independent Living Program (ILP), EFC, and/or the Aftercare Program and the young adults’ perception of the helpfulness of the programs, from whom they received information about these services, duration of participation in services, as well as, their confidence in their independence skills. The study found that overall young adults felt prepared for independence and they agreed that EFC or the Aftercare Program contributed to their feelings. The study also found that their outcomes in the aforementioned areas were more positive than previous research indicates. These findings were evaluated through quantitative data analysis of a questionnaire. The significance of this study is that it will determine the programs’ abilities to fit the needs of foster youth in overcoming their obstacles to independence. The implications for social work practice, policy and research are discussed.