Fostering disabled children in Greece
Insights into foster mothers’ experiences, motivations, challenges and satisfaction
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6413867 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Margarita Xanthaki (0000-0002-0677-837X, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Lida Anagnostaki (0000-0002-4019-9160, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 344-362 |
| Publication date | 2025-07-15 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Adoption & Fostering (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0308-5759 • E-ISSN: 1740-469X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/03085759251357018 |
| OpenAlex | W4412418053 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 54 |
International research on the motivations, challenges and levels of satisfaction of foster parents of disabled children is limited and has only been carried out in specific sociocultural and legal contexts. Studying fostering in diverse cultural settings is important not only out of scientific interest, but also because contextual differences may influence the fostering experience. The present qualitative study explored the experiences of Greek foster mothers of disabled children – to our knowledge, the first study of its kind in Greece. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a sample of eight foster mothers of disabled children. Thematic analysis revealed that the motivations of foster mothers were related to the child’s disability, the emotional relationship developed with the child and a sense of charity. Several challenges were identified, such as difficulties in collaborating with institutional staff, managing multiple roles, maintaining social and personal relationships and handling the disruptive behaviour of the foster child. Participants also expressed concern about the future of the foster children without their support, while most expressed satisfaction with fostering. Finally, an unexpected theme emerged during the interviews concerning the neglect and abuse of disabled children in Greek institutions
Developmental psychology · Foster care · Child Welfare and Adoption · Children's Rights and Participation · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology
Families and Family Therapy
Who is caring for our most vulnerable children?
Qualitative evaluation and research methods
Parents of Children with Disabilities
The Needs of Foster Parents
Thematic Analysis
A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis
The STAFF Project
Breaking the silence on special needs children in foster care
Permanence for disabled children and young people through foster care and adoption
Being a Foster Family in Portugal—Motivations and Experiences
Who Is Willing to Foster Children With Disabilities
The Disability of Adoption
Training in Nonviolent Resistance for Foster Parents
No safety net for disabled children in residential institutions in Ireland
Challenging Behaviour in Looked after Young People, Feelings of Parental Self-Efficacy and Psychological Well-Being in Foster Carers
Foster Parents' Reasons for Fostering and Foster Family Utilization
Willingness to Foster Special Needs Children and Foster Family Utilization
Parenting attitudes, foster parenting attitudes, and motivations of adoptive and nonadoptive foster parent trainees
Characteristics and Challenges of Families Who Adopt Children with Special Needs
Foster carer stress and satisfaction
Children with disabilities
Support needs and satisfaction of Flemish foster parents in long-term foster care
Concept-mapping the challenges faced by foster parents
Foster parent perceptions of competency
Understanding the needs of foster parents of youth with special health care needs
Fostering children with disabilities
Gentle iron will
A four factor model predicting likelihood of foster carer retention
The motives of foster parents, their family and work circumstances
Gaining Satisfaction? An Exploration of Foster-Carers' Attitudes to Payment
Disabled Children's Experience of Permanency in the Looked After System
Cultural Representation of Disabled People
Demonstrating Rigor Using Thematic Analysis
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |