Psychosocial Needs of Children in Foster Care and the Impact of Sexual Abuse

Abstract

Children in family foster care, especially those who have experienced sexual abuse, require a safe and nurturing environment in which their psychosocial needs are met. However, there is limited knowledge on how youth prioritize various needs and what impact previous experiences have on these needs. In this study, we asked youth (formerly) in family foster care to indicate their psychosocial needs, and analyzed if youth with a history of sexual abuse have different needs. A Q methodological study was conducted with 44 youth (age 16–28). Fifteen of them reported sexual abuse during their childhood. Using by-person factor analyses, respondents who share similar subjective views were grouped together. Qualitative interpretations of the factors show differences and similarities between and within the two groups, related to help from others, being independent, processing the past, and working toward the future. Although the needs of youth with and without experiences of sexual abuse seem mostly similar, one group of sexually abused youth specifically indicated not wanting an emotional connection to foster parents, but instead a strictly instrumental, professional relationship. This study captured the diverse perspectives of youth themselves, revealing that children in foster care differ with regard to what they consider as (most) important safety, belonging, self-esteem and self-actualization needs.

(Re)activation of survival strategies during pregnancy and childbirth following experiences of childhood sexual abuse

“…occurring more than once and over a long period of time) for all of the women in this study. Chronicity has been noted by several other scholars in their research on organised paedophilia (Salter, 2019), children who experience CSA in foster care (Steenbakkers et al, 2018), and intra-familial CSA (McClain & Amar, 2013). Participants in the study did not receive any psychological support as children.…”

On the bright side: Young people’s most positive memories of family foster care

“…The participants of this study were 44 Dutch adolescents and young adults (formerly) living in a foster family, who were part of a larger study on their psychosocial needs and the impact of sexual abuse (see Steenbakkers et al, 2017). We purposively selected older adolescents and young adults for this study because they could retrospectively reflect upon their needs and experiences while in care.…”

“…Participants were thereafter instructed to perform a Q sort about their needs while in care (see Steenbakkers et al, 2017). Q methodology aims to reveal patterns of subjectivity among participants, by having them sort a set of statements from most like to most unlike their point of view, the Q sort.…”

Do Foster Parents and Care Workers Recognize the Needs of Youth in Family Foster Care with a History of Sexual Abuse?

“…close relationship with them, perhaps because they do not feel emotionally safe enough to establish a sense of belonging (Steenbakkers et al, 2017). However, there is a risk of conflict when foster parents are trying to balance the closeness they need in order to help youth with their past, while also keeping the distance that allows youth to be engaged in the relationship.…”

“…The main research question of this study is: "Do foster parents and care workers recognize the psychosocial needs of youth in family foster care with a history of sexual abuse?" This study builds on our previous Q methodological paper, in which by-person factor analysis revealed four perspectives among 15 youth with a history of sexual abuse regarding their perspective on their psychosocial needs (Steenbakkers, Ellingsen, van der Steen, & Grietens, 2017).…”