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The voice of the foster carers’ biological child. Kirti Zeijlmans MSc University of Groningen Dr. Elly Singer University of Amsterdam Drs. Adimka Uzozie Stichting Alexander Made possible by: Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland. Introduction. Impact
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The voice of the foster carers’ biological child KirtiZeijlmans MSc University of Groningen Dr.Elly Singer University of Amsterdam Drs.AdimkaUzozieStichting Alexander Made possible by: StichtingKinderpostzegels Nederland
Introduction • Impact (Serbinski & Shlonsky, 2014; Hojer, 2007; Buyl, 2006; Part, 1993; Poland & Groze, 1993) • Involvement (Hojer, 2007; Reed, 1994; Watson & Jones, 2002) • Influence (Pugh, 1996; Serbinski & Shlonsky, 2014)
How do biological children cope with having a new foster brother or sister?
Method • Interviews • Semi-structured • Retrospective • 30 biological children of foster carers(Guest, Bunce, & Johnson, 2006; Mason, 2010) • Non-kinship foster care • Long term foster care
Method – interview content • Focus child • Privacy and anonymity • Chronology of the placement • Concrete questions for emotions (Miltenburg, Singer & Doornenbal, 1996)
Visual tools (Okma-Rayzer, 2006)
Data analysis • Stepwise coding with two researchers • Third researcher for conflicts • Inductive coding • Research team meeting
Results Before the placement • Adjustment period – changes • Adjustment period – emotions “I likedit, but I also had mydoubts. They had given a lot of negative information on her about her lying, cheating, beingunreliableandhaving a temper.”
Results • Before the placement Adjustment period – changes • Adjustment period – emotions “When eating french fries, we used to eat with our hands. After the placement we weren’t allowed anymore, because that would be a bad example.”
Results • Before the placement • Adjustment period – changes • Adjustment period – emotions “I was proud that we, as a family, were able to do this. That we are so stable that having a foster child is possible and doesn’t have a lot of negative affect.”
Results • Before the placement • Adjustment period – changes • Adjustment period – emotions “I’m happy she’s in our family, but she is of course in a bad situation and very sad. Then I feel guilty about being happy or something...”
Is it ok to be happy with having him as a foster sibling, even though it’s sad for him that he has to live here?
Is it ok to be happy with having him as a foster sibling, even though it’s sad for him that he has to live here? • Can I be angry because he receives more attention from my parents, even though he clearly needs it more?
Is it ok to be happy with having him as a foster sibling, even though it’s sad for him that he has to live here? • Can I be angry because he receives more attention from my parents, even though he clearly needs it more? • Is it fair to be jealous about the present he receives from his parents, even though he is less fortuned than I am?
Conclusion • Biological children • need to adjust • are willing to help • come across complex concerns
Implications • Research • Policy and practice
“The adjustment period can be confusing or even difficult for the biological children of foster parents. Most of them know how to deal with these difficulties, but it is important that they continue to feel understood and valued”
Thank you More information: k.zeijlmans@rug.nl