Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Silvia Bigatti

Abstract

There are over half a million children and adolescents living in foster care in the United States, and many of them endure frequent disruptions to their placements. Disruptions are more common among children with a history of sexual abuse. The disruption of placement increases the likelihood of undesirable outcomes for both the children and their foster parents. Foster parents who are willing to offer a home that is safe and stable for a child in the foster care system are more important than ever. This qualitative study explored foster parents’ experiences of well-being after having fostered children with a history of sexual abuse. The positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments theory of well-being grounded this study and guided the development of the interview questions. This study included a sample of nine foster parents from the state of Florida who had experience fostering a child with a documented history of sexual abuse. Findings suggested that the unique challenges and pressures associated with foster parenting, such as the emotional burden of caring for children who have experienced sexual trauma, can have significant impacts on the well-being of foster parents. This in turn can influence the stability and quality of care provided to the foster children. Working to improve foster parents’ well-being may be essential to keeping foster parents motivated to foster, potentially decreasing foster parent frustrations and foster child placement disruption. Findings may be use by foster agencies for positive social change to improve the lives of foster families.

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