Attachment styles in alternative care: a study with caregivers and children living in residential and foster care in Chile

[摘要] This thesis investigates attachment styles in alternative care (AC) - both residential (RC) and foster (FC). Part I presents two chapters to highlight the number of children living in AC and the general move from residential to foster care across many countries. Furthermore, chapter one noted the lack of studies in less developed countries and that no study considers attachment in foster, residential and parental care in the same country. Part II presents five empirical chapters. Chapter 3 explored attachment based practices and managers' beliefs in RC (N= 17), highlighting these were associated with outcomes for children. Chapters 4 and 5 explore the experience of carers in RC (N=43) and FC (N=l4), reporting the extent of carers' emotional involvement in their relationships with children. Chapter 6 reports attachment styles in children living in AC and parental care (N=77); differences in attachment quality and other outcomes were found between AC and parental care, but no significant differences were found between RC and FC. Chapter 7 explores factors associated with attachment in AC (N=57); caregivers' sensitivity, responsivity and affection, and child:caregiver ratios were linked to secure attachments. Chapter 8 provides a general discussion of the results, with implications for policy, practice and research.

[发布机构] University:University of Birmingham;Department:School of Psychology

[关键词] B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion;BF Psychology