Multiple parenting relationship. An investigation on foster care

Abstract

Aim of the study Considering the theoretical constructs and empirical evaluations on the structure of attachment, this research analyzes parenting typologies and modalities developed in contexts which support the family, such as community care for children and adults. The purpose of this present study is to explore: a) the level of attachment between children and their caregivers (operators of community and own parental figures), to verify the presence of multiple attachment bonds; b) the characteristics and quality of attachment of operators of community and parents toward a specific figure, to verify their influence on their actual caregiving within the community; c) childhood experiences of parents to compare with their level of attachment in adulthood. Subjects and Measures This present research was realized in some communities for children and adults victims of abuse. Subjects: operators of community (7; aged 21 to 40); mothers (7, 22-38aged) with their children (10; aged 1-5) living temporally in the community. Measures: To study attachment style we used the Reciprocal Attachment Questionnaire (RAQ, West, Sheldon-Keller, 1994) for adults and the Attachment Q-Sort (AQS, Waters,1987) for children aged 1 to 5; to investigate family experiences we used the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire, (Ceca-Q, Smith, Bifulco et.al, 2002) for parents. Results and Conclusions Within extra family care context, such as community for children and adults, subjects can learn alternative secure relational models daily co-constructed with operators. On the base of internal working models framework, operators’ caregiving modalities could derive from experiences of secure attachment toward important figures of their lives and their self-perception of their own role within the community housing.