Foster family as a care and educational environment for a child after relational trauma

Abstract

Foster families play a special role in supporting the development of a child after experiencing relational trauma. Parents awareness of the educational methods they use affects the child functioning in social, psychological, and physical aspects. Therefore, it is important to rationalize the use of positive and negative reinforcements. Considering the significance of the factors described, research was organized and conducted among foster parents from the Foster Parenting Association “One Heart”. The aim of the study was to determine what positive and negative reinforcements foster parents use in the upbringing process and what behavioral consequences they observe in the adopted children. In organizing the research, the research problem was formulated as follows: what is the role of rewards and punishments in raising children from foster families from the Foster Parenting Association “One Heart”? The study used the diagnostic survey method, along with the corresponding questionnaire technique. The research involved parents from 22 foster families affiliated with the Foster Parenting Association “One Heart”. The research results, based on the analysis of parents; statements, allow for a better understanding of the relationship between the use of punishments and rewards and the functioning of children in foster families. At the same time, they provide practical guidance for developing forms of support for foster families – so that educational measures effectively support the development of young people, taking into account the specifics of their previous experiences and individual needs.