This study reports the results of the effects of types of caregiver motivation to foster parent on the security of attachment of infants in care. Using the Motivations for Foster Parenting Inventory and the Ainsworth Strange Situation Procedure, the differences in motivation of kin and non-kin caregivers and the effects of motivation on security of attachment of 46 infants is reported. Result found that motivations to foster, such as the desire to increase family size, and social concern for the community, were significant predictors for secure attachment; while reasons for fostering such as spiritual expression, adoption, and replacement of a grown child, were predictors of insecure attachment. Research and practice implications are discussed.
The attachment relationships of 46 infants with their kin and unrelated foster caregivers are reported in the results of this study. Secure attachment relationships were found in about equal percentages in kin and unrelated caregiver-infant dyads (67-68%), similar to the percentage of secure attachment relationships found in birth and adoptive caregiver-infant dyads in previous studies. Disorganized/disoriented attachment behaviors were observed in a greater percentage of kin and unrelated foster caregiver-infant dyads (25-29%) than previously observed in birth families. Infant characteristics, caregiver characteristics, and differences in the home environments that could explain the differences reported in the attachment relationships observed in kin and unrelated foster caregiver-infant dyads are discussed. Implications for future research and social work practice are discussed.
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