Foster carers' adult attachment styles

Abstract

This study assessed the adult attachment styles of over 100 male and female foster carers of children who have been abused and neglected in the Mackay/Whitsunday region of Queensland. It was hypothesised that those foster carers with secure attachment or with earned secure attachment status are better able to cope with the challenges of caring for children who have been abused and neglected, or have attachment difficulties. The attachment style questionnaire was used to categorise foster carers in terms of relationships as secondary, need for approval, discomfort, discomfort with closeness, preoccupation or preoccupation with relationships. The research findings will be discussed in relation to attachment style of foster carers, role performance as assessed by senior foster care professionals in the region and life experiences leading to secure or earned secure Adult attachment. The research has implications for the selection of foster carers, and for the specialised support of those carers with unresolved attachment issues.