Citation

Riggs DW, Augoustinos M, Delfabbro PH. Aust. Psychol. 2009; 44(3): 166-173.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Australian Psychological Society, Publisher Wiley-Blackwell)

DOI

10.1080/00050060903147075

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Research on foster care suggests that children who have experienced abuse are susceptible to a range of negative life outcomes. Such research also suggests that children removed into foster care can recover from abuse if given opportunities to develop healing relationships with caregivers. Drawing on qualitative data from a national research project on Australian foster carers, this paper explores how foster families enact forms of belonging that potentially work to ameliorate experiences of abuse among foster children. With a specific focus on experiences of family solidarity, rituals, identity, and culture among foster carers and the children in their care, the findings highlight the role that foster carers can play in contributing to national child protection agendas aimed at addressing experiences of maltreatment among children removed into care in Australia.

Keywords

Childhood; discursive psychology and social constructionism; family issues; parent–child interactions