Familjehemsföräldrar - Speglar de varandra och är de en avspegling av andra familjer?

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to examine the foster parents’ characteristics, how the foster parents reflect on their own family and parental ability, their knowledge of the foster child’s earlier trauma, if the parents report the same and if they differ from other groups. This study was a cross sectional study and based on a quantitative model. Background questions and the instruments BCFPI, FSS, CES-D, PSOC and LYLES-P was selected from a questionnaire. The results showed that there was almost no difference between the foster mothers and fathers regarding the sociodemographic variables, symptoms of depression, functioning and satisfaction of their family, their sense of competence as a parent and on their foster child’s mental health and earlier trauma. The foster parents’ perspective was interchangeable or acceptable regarding their foster child but not when it concerned their family. The results showed that the foster families are different from the reference groups regarding sociodemographic variables, they experience a better economic situation and a better sense of competence as a parent. The foster child’s mental health is better, as well as the foster parents’ mental health. Conclusively, the foster parents reflect each other but they are not a reflection of other families.