Building Secure Relationships: Attachment in Kin and Unrelated Foster Caregiver–Infant Relationships

Abstract

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.

Kinship care for the safety, permanency, and well-being of children removed from the home for maltreatment

“…The continuous outcome was used in two studies (Belanger 2002;Davis 2005). Length of placement was measured continuously by length of stay in the kin or foster placement in five studies (Berrick 1994;Brooks 1998;Cole 2006;Davis 2005;Surbeck 2000) and continuously by length of total stay in out-of-home care in five other studies (Belanger 2002;Clyman 1998;Jenkins 2002;Sivright 2004;Tompkins 2003). It should be noted that longer lengths of stay in placement or in care are considered negative outcomes in the U.S., as reunification within 12 months is the primary permanency goal for children placed in short-term kinship or foster care.…”

An Ecological Understanding of Kinship Foster Care in the United States

“…Kinship foster caregivers were significantly less likely than non-relative foster caregivers to report desire to increase family size and express concerns for the community. Another study (Cole 2006) investigated the attachment relationships of 46 infants placed in both kinship and non-kin foster care. Findings from the study indicate that a majority of both kin and non-kinship caregiver-infant dyads equally exhibited secure attachment behaviors.…”

Adapting an evidence-based parenting program for child welfare involved teens and their caregivers

“…There has been important, though limited, work on the relationship between foster youth and their caregivers. The importance of the quality of the relationship between infants and toddlers in foster care and their caregivers has been elevated by a number of researchers (Cole, 2006; Harden, 2007; Harden & Klein, 2011; Spieker, Oxford, Kelly, Nelson, & Fleming, 2012). Studies of the alliance/relationship between caregivers and youth in treatment foster care have demonstrated that positive relationships between foster parents and youth are critically important for achieving desired emotional and behavioral outcomes among emotionally disturbed youth in out-of-home care (Bickman et al, 2004; Chamberlain, 2003; Kazdin, Marciano, & Whitley, 2005; Rauktis et al, 2005; Shirk & Karver, 2003; Southerland, Mustillo, Farmer, Stambaugh, & Murray, 2009).…”