Research into unaccompanied refugee minors in family foster care

Promoting adaptive functioning

Bibliographic Data

ID12569478
AuthorsRoman Trenson (Department of Psychology Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium), Johan Vanderfaeillie (0000-0002-1504-1185, Department of Psychology Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium, corresponding author), Ann‐Kathrin Thiele (Department of Psychology Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium), Lenny Trogh (Pleegzorg Vlaams‐Brabant en Brussel Brussels Belgium), Frank Van Holen (0000-0002-4768-6906, Department of Psychology Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium)
Year2022
Volume28
Issue1
Pages86-95
Publication date2022-06-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChild & Family Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1356-7500 • E-ISSN: 1365-2206
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/cfs.12943
OpenAlexW4283581829
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited58

Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URMs) are at high risk for trauma and maladaptive functioning. Although foster care is best suited to come forth to their needs, obtaining a better understanding of the strengths and flaws of foster care for URM can help to improve their development and psychological wellbeing. Twenty‐seven URM cared for in family foster care filled in questionnaires measuring trauma, behavioural difficulties, resilience and contact with persons from the home and host country, whilst their foster care workers assessed the quality of the living environment. URMs had more trauma symptoms than other immigrants and Belgian adolescents. Furthermore, compared to Belgian counterparts, levels of resilience were low. However, URM did not have more behavioural problems. The quality of the living environment in kinship care was worse than the quality in non‐kinship foster care, and social support and cultural sensitivity were protective factors. This study found evidence for developmental risks for URM in foster care. Integration, social support and a connection with the home culture were protective factors. Contrary to other studies, no evidence was found of kinship foster care being preferential

Family reunification · Foster care · Foster parents · Immigration · Kinship · Kinship care · Political science · Psychological resilience · Refugee · Social support · Sociology · Child Abuse and Trauma · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology