Maltreated children's emotional availability with kin and non-kin foster mothers: A sociobiological perspective

Michael J. Lawler

Children and Youth Services Review, 2008, vol. 30, issue 10, 1131-1143

Abstract: Relationship differences between maltreated child-kin foster mother dyads and maltreated child-non-kin foster mother dyads were examined using Emotional Availability (EA) Scales. A sample of 106 maltreated children (2-8 years old), referred for mental health services, and their biological/kin (n = 50) or non-kin (n = 56) foster mothers were assessed for EA in semi-structured play sessions. After controlling for child's age, foster mother's age, foster mother's education, and placement duration, foster mother's status as kin or non-kin did not predict emotional availability between maltreated child and foster mother. Findings did not support the hypothesis of a sociobiological-based relationship advantage for kin foster placements. Limitations of the clinical sample of foster children and the lack of measurements for external support are discussed.

Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:30:y:2008:i:10:p:1131-1143

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