Date

12-11-2024

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Frances Sanford

Keywords

Biological child, foster families, foster siblings, foster parents

Disciplines

Counseling | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Families involved in the fostering process experience a wide range of situations which can impact all family members—both positively and negatively. This includes the biological children of foster parents. While recent research has started to focus on providing support for foster families, most studies primarily concentrate on training and assistance for foster parents. When it comes to the effects of being a biological child within a foster family there exists a gap in the literature regarding long-term support for these family members. The objective of this study is to explore the retrospective experiences of biological children of foster families, who are now adults, using a phenomenological qualitative research approach. The theories guiding this study include the seminal works of John Bowlby, Bowlby’s Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1956); Murray Bowen’s Family Systems Theory (Bowen, 1966); and Family Stress Theory (Boulding, 1950). The findings of this study are intended to educate and inform child welfare agencies, child welfare policymakers, and new foster families about the significance of having the biological children of foster parents involved in the fostering process.

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