1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«The central aim of this study is […] to examine the association between foster mother attachment state of mind and commitment, foster mother–child interactive quality, and behavior problems among foster children, while considering child history of maltreatment and placement.» (p. 122)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«First, we hypothesize that foster caregivers’ unresolved and insecure states ofmind (dismissing and preoccupied), low levels of commitment, and poor quality of interactions will be inter-related. Second,it is expected that higher levels of child externalizing and internalizing problems, as reported by the foster caregiver, willbe associated with a greater number of past experiences of maltreatment and placement. We also predict that, over andabove past experiences of maltreatment and placement, higher levels of foster child behavior problems will be associated with (a) foster caregivers’ unresolved and insecure states of mind, (b) lower levels of commitment, and (c) poorer qualityof interactions. Finally, because the foster-to-adopt families are in many ways different from regular foster families (Neil,Beek, & Schofield, 2003), we will examine whether type of foster family moderates the association between foster childadjustment and foster caregiver representations and interactive quality with the child.» (p. 122)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«Participants in this study were 83 foster children (52 boys) and their foster mothers who were recruited through CPS in the province of Québec (Canada) to participate in a study evaluating the efficacy of a home-visiting relationship-based intervention program.» (p. 122)

Instruments :
- Guides d’entretien semi-directif
- Grille d’observation
- Questionnaires

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«Results showed that foster caregivers’ representations, namely attachment state of mind and commitment, were interrelated but not associated with behavior problems of foster children overall. Foster caregiver commitment and child behavior problems were related, however only for children in foster homes (kin and non-kin), not in foster-to-adopt families. Quality of interaction between foster caregivers and children was associated with behavior problems, such that higher-quality interactions were related to fewer externalizing and internalizing problems. […] According to the foster caregivers of this study, children placed in foster families, where caregivers were supportive and interactions were harmonious and pleasant, were more socially adjusted. Conversely, foster caregivers reported higher levels of child externalizing and internalizing problems when their interactions were more unbalanced and chaotic. Hence, when caregivers fail to provide adequate emotional support to foster children, the latter learn not to rely on caregivers to regulate internal emotional states or to find adapted solutions to distress-eliciting problems.» (p. 126)