The purpose of this study was to explore multiple research questions related to foster caregiver protective factors, satisfaction with fostering, and intent to continue fostering. First, the researcher identified what protective factors (i.e., parental resilience, social connections, concrete supports, and nurturing and attachment) foster caregivers report and to what degree. Second, the researcher determined whether there was a significant relationship between the independent variables (protective factors) and the dependent variables (satisfaction with fostering and intent to continue fostering). Next, the researcher examined whether child disruptive behaviors moderated or influenced the nature or strength of the relationship between protective factors and satisfaction as a caregiver. Third, the researcher examined a second model of whether child behaviors moderated or influenced the nature or strength of the relationship between protective factors and intent to continue fostering. The sample consisted of 155 licensed foster caregivers from across the United States. Descriptive statistics (i.e., means, standard deviations, range, internal consistency, skewness, kurtosis, and bivariate correlations), multiple regression, and interaction effects in multiple regression were used to test the various relationships proposed in this model. First, it was found that foster caregivers generally report a high degree of each protective factor. Second, there was a significant relationship between protective factors and two domains of satisfaction (challenging aspects of fostering and confidence and satisfaction). Third, child behaviors served as a significant moderator between some of the protective factors and two domains of satisfaction (challenging aspects of fostering and confidence and satisfaction). Implications for future research, practice, and policy were discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2014. / May 13, 2014. / Foster Care, Foster Children, Foster Parents, Protective Factors, Satisfaction / Includes bibliographical references. / Ann K. Mullis, Professor Directing Dissertation; Karen Randolph, University Representative; Lenore McWey, Committee Member; Ming Cui, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_185373 |
| Contributors | Cooley, Morgan E. (authoraut), Mullis, Ann K. (professor directing dissertation), Randolph, Karen (university representative), McWey, Lenore (committee member), Cui, Ming (committee member), Department of Family and Child Sciences (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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