Concept mapping the needs of foster parents.
This study describes the needs of foster parents as perceived by the foster parents themselves. Forty-nine parents from 30 foster families were asked to describe their needs in response to the question: "What do you need to be a good foster parent?" Five themes were apparent in their answers: (1) good working relationships; (2) cultural sensitivity; (3) harmonious and stable family relationships; (4) adequate payment for services; and (5) a range of personality characteristics and parenting skills. These themes are consistent with the literature, with the notable exception of respite, a need identified in the literature but not by the sampled foster parents. The study results lend credibility to the existing literature on the needs of foster parents.
Brown
J
J
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Calder
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires