Levels of burden and satisfaction among Spanish foster carers

The aim of this study was to analyse the levels of burden and satisfaction among foster families in Spain, as well as the relationships between these variables and characteristics of the foster children and their carers. Participants were 86 foster families (comprising 71 foster fathers and 86 foste...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of social work 2015-10, Vol.18 (5), p.731-744
Main Authors: Fuentes, María J., Salas, María D., Bernedo, Isabel M., García-Martín, Miguel A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acogedores
burden
Caregiver burden
Delayed
Financial support
Foster care
Foster carers
Foster children
Mayors
Mothers
Parents & parenting
Personality
Questionnaires
Residential care
Residential institutions
satisfacción
Satisfaction
satisfaction with fostering
sobrecarga
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Summary:The aim of this study was to analyse the levels of burden and satisfaction among foster families in Spain, as well as the relationships between these variables and characteristics of the foster children and their carers. Participants were 86 foster families (comprising 71 foster fathers and 86 foster mothers) and the 104 children who they were fostering (56 boys and 48 girls). The instruments used were the Zarit Burden Interview and a questionnaire on foster carers' satisfaction with the preparation and support they had received. The results revealed low levels of burden among the families. Levels of burden were directly correlated with the amount of time the children had spent in residential care and with the age of foster fathers, and inversely correlated with how long the child had been with the current foster family. Higher levels of burden were reported by carers whose foster child was academically delayed. Regarding satisfaction, the highest ratings corresponded to items referring to the work of professionals, while the lowest were given for items concerning the information that foster families had received about the child's personality and the material and financial support available to them. The implications of the findings for professional practice are discussed.
ISSN:1369-1457
1468-2664
DOI:10.1080/13691457.2014.923384