1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« The overall objective of this study was to explore the perspectives of foster home caregivers and their residents on the nature or type of help offered in Montréal foster homes. The viewpoints of caregivers and residents were elicited. [...] Ultimately, it was hoped that new information would emerge that could be used to improve mental health professionals’ interventions with caregivers and their residents. » (p. 45)

Questions/Hypothèses :
How does the help of caregivers compares with the help provided by social workers in foster homes in Montreal?

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
Twenty foster home caregivers agreed to participate in the research. Their average age was 54, but they ranged in age from 31 to 66 years. Their caregiving experience ranged from two to 26 years, with an average of 13 years. 11 caregivers were born in Canada, whereas 9 were immigrants from the Philippines, Africa, or the Caribbean. 13 caregivers were married; 5 were divorced, widowed, or single; and 2 did not respond.

Instruments :
Guide d’entretien semi-directif

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

« This article reports the findings of a qualitative study on the contribution of foster home caregivers for people with serious mental illness. Traditionally, social workers have played a key role in the supervision of foster homes. Little is known about how the help caregivers provide is similar to, or different from, that provided by mental health professionals. Twenty semistructured interviews were conducted with caregivers operating foster homes in Montreal, Canada. With no preset theoretical framework, data analysis was inductive and ongoing, involving the identification of categories and themes. Overall findings revealed that caregivers consider themselves the real frontline workers. They claim to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to combine egalitarian and affective relationships with their residents and to provide them with personalized care. Caregivers are well positioned to respond immediately to crises. Caregivers also believe that their intimate and thorough familiarity with their residents allows them to assess residents differently than could social workers. These findings have implications for mental health professionals. The combined skills and expertise of nonprofessional caregivers and social workers are essential in promoting the residents’ reintegration into the community. » (résumé)