Significant Stress and Real Rewards: The Ecological and Ambiguous Experiences of Foster Parents

Authors

Jason B. Whiting PhD, Brigham Young UniversityFollow
Paul T. Huber MA, University of Kentucky

Keywords

Foster care, foster parents, stress, support

Abstract

To obtain an insider's perspective of the unique dynamics and needs of foster parents, surveys and interviews were conducted using human ecology and ambiguous loss as a guiding framework. The resulting qualitative and quantitative data show significant and distinctive stressors for foster parents. These include challenges with agency staff and procedures and ambiguous situations. However, these parents generally found meaning and satisfaction in service and coped with the help of informal and formal supports.

Original Publication Citation

Whiting, J. B., & Huber. P. T. (2007). Significant stress and real rewards: The ecological and ambiguous experiences of foster parents. Relational Child & Youth Care Practice, 20(2), 9-20.

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

Whiting, Jason B. PhD and Huber, Paul T. MA, "Significant Stress and Real Rewards: The Ecological and Ambiguous Experiences of Foster Parents" (2007). Faculty Publications. 2168.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/2168

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2007

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5067

Publisher

Relational Child and Youth Care Practice

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Copyright Use Information

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/