Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.31299/ksi.32.1.4
Stressors and difficulties in the work of foster carers for children - a view from the foster perspective
Anita Barišić
orcid.org/0000-0001-5245-8265
; Social Work Study, Faculty of Law in Osijek, University of Osijek
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The aim of the paper is to gain insight into the stressors present in foster carers for children and the difficulties that foster carers experience when performing foster care.
The paper presents part of the results of qualitative pre-research conducted as part of the research entitled "Determinants of professional stress, burnout and mental health of foster carers for children" in which 16 foster carers from the Osijek-Baranja County participated from all six Regional Offices (Osijek, B. Manastir, D. Miholjac, Valpovo, Našice, Đakovo) of the Croatian Institute for Social Work. The research was carried out in May 2022. This is the first research in Croatia in which foster carers were directly asked about sources of stress, and the results showed a match with earlier research that indirectly engage in the topic of stressors in foster carers in Croatia and the world; especially in relation to stressors related to the characteristics of the foster child (when the foster child exhibits internalized and externalized behaviour problems).
In the explanation and presentation of the results, the theoretical framework of the transaction model of stress and the division of professional sources of stress into characteristics related to people and the nature of external events were followed. The sources of stress present in foster carers for children are related to the characteristics of the persons (foster and foster child), as well as to the nature of external events (which are divided into sources of stress related to the organization of work, working conditions and social relations).
Keywords
sources of stress; transactional stress model; foster care; children in alternative care; coping strategies
Hrčak ID:
318575
URI
Publication date:
28.6.2024.
Visits: 471 *