The experiences, challenges and coping strategies of foster parents raising teenage foster children
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Authors
Mphephu, Azwidohwi Jacqueline
Issue Date
2023-09
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Foster parents , Teenage foster children , Experiences , Challenges , Coping strategies , Raising , SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Alternative Title
Abstract
Globally, there is an estimated high population of teenage children who grow up in
foster care. In South Africa, these children are legally placed in foster care by the
commissioner of the children`s court inquiry in terms of Section 156 of the Children`s
Act 38 of 2005. However, in South Africa and beyond, foster care is just one of the
options that are available to care for and protect teenage children in need. Teenage
children that are admitted for foster care exhibit various behaviours that originate from
their family of origin. This tends to pose challenges to foster parents who, resultantly,
may face various difficulties to raise their teenage foster children.
The primary goal of the current study was to develop an in-depth understanding of
challenges, experiences, and coping strategies of foster parents in raising teenage
foster children. This qualitative study explored, described, and contextualised
challenges that are faced by teenage children’s foster parents. Participants were
recruited through purposive sampling, which is designed to access participants who
have lived experiences and highly likely rich data. The data saturation was reached
with fourteen (14) participants. Semi-structured interview questions that were collated
into an interview guide were used for data collection. The data was analysed using
Tesch’s eight steps. Furthermore, to ensure trustworthiness, Guba’s data verification
model of credibility, dependability, conformability, and transferability, was used. The
study followed appropriate research ethical procedures.
The study’s findings suggest that teenage children’s foster parents face various
challenges in raising them. The challenges include teenage foster children back
chatting their parents, coming home late at night, abusing substances, and demanding expensive clothes. However, foster parents reported various coping strategies that
they adopted to survive the challenges that they faced. The study recommends that
teenage children’s foster parents must receive ongoing support to enhance their
coping strategies. The support may include the development of support groups,
ongoing foster care supervision, and counselling for foster parents.