On the bright side: Young people's most positive memories of family foster care.

This study explored what contributes to successful family foster care from the perspective of young people by asking them about their most positive memory of family foster care. Forty-four Dutch adolescents and young adults (aged 16-28) participated in this study and shared their most positive memory in a short interview. Their answers were qualitatively analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, supplemented with an analysis of the structure of their memories. The thematic analysis resulted in the themes Belongingness, Receiving support, Normal family life, It is better than before, and Seeing yourself grow. The structural analysis showed that young people both shared memories related to specific events, as well as memories that portrayed how they felt for a prolonged period of time. In addition, young people were inclined to share negative memories alongside the positive memories. These results highlight that, in order to build a sense of belonging, it is important that of foster parents create a normal family environment for foster children and provide continuous support. Moreover, the negative memories shared by participants are discussed in light of a bias resulting from earlier traumatic experiences.

Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Patients Exposed to Emotional Neglect and Traumatic Events: Latent Class Analysis.

The inclusion of a complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) diagnosis in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases reflects growing evidence that a subgroup of individuals with PTSD also suffer from disturbances in emotion regulation, interpersonal skills, and self-concept, which together are termed "disturbances in self-organization" (DSO). Although CPTSD is assumed to result from exposure to complex traumatic events, emotional neglect may be an important contributor. This study investigated the presence of CPTSD, defined by endorsement of PTSD and DSO symptoms in a clinical postwar generation sample. The sample consisted of 218 patients who had been exposed to emotional neglect in childhood, a subgroup of whom had also been exposed to potentially traumatic events. Using items from the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and the Brief Symptom Inventory, a latent class analysis revealed two classes: high endorsement of almost all CPTSD symptoms (n = 83; 38.1%) and low endorsement of all CPTSD symptoms (n = 135; 61.9%). Contrary to our hypothesis, no DSO-only class was found. The R3step method showed gender and number of traumatic events to be significant predictors of class membership. Compared to the low endorsement class, individuals in the CPTSD class were more likely to be female, p = .013, and to report a higher number of traumatic experiences, p < .001. The potential intermediary role of emotional neglect in the development of DSO and CPTSD is discussed.

Spanish Abstracts by Asociación Chilena de Estrés Traumático (ACET) Tept complejo en pacientes expuestos a negligencia emocional y eventos traumáticos: un análisis de clases latentes TEPTC EN PACIENTES EXPUESTOS A NEGLIGENCIA: ACL El diagnóstico de trastorno de estrés postraumático complejo (TEPTC) propuesto en la 11' revisión de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades refleja una evidencia creciente que un subgrupo de individuos con TEPT también sufre de problemas en la regulación emocional, habilidades interpersonales, y auto- concepto (conocido como "problemas en la auto-organización" [DSO], por sus siglas en inglés). Aunque se asume que el TEPTC es el resultado de la exposición a eventos traumáticos complejos, la negligencia emocional puede ser un contribuyente. Este estudio investigó la confirmación del TEPT y síntomas DSO (que juntos calificaban para TEPTC) en una muestra clínica de una generación post guerra. La muestra consistió en 218 pacientes que estuvieron expuestos a negligencia emocional en su infancia, un subgrupo que también había estado expuesto a potenciales eventos traumáticos. Usando los ítems del Cuestionario de Trauma de Harvard y el Inventario de Síntomas Abreviado, un análisis de clases latentes (ACL) reveló dos clases: alta confirmación de casi todos los síntomas de TEPTC (n=83; 38.1%) y baja confirmación de todos los síntomas de TEPTC (n=135; 61.9%). Contrario a nuestra hipótesis, no se encontró ninguna clase de sólo DSO. El método de pasos R3 mostró que el género y el número de eventos traumáticos son predictores significativos para la pertenencia a alguna clase. Comparado con la clase de baja probabilidad, los individuos de la clase TEPTC tenían más probabilidad de ser mujer, p = .013, y reportar un mayor número de experiencias traumáticas, p = .000. Se discute el rol intermediario potencial de la negligencia emocional en el desarrollo de DSO y TEPTC.

Do Foster Parents and Care Workers Recognize the Needs of Youth in Family Foster Care with a History of Sexual Abuse?

Children in family foster care have the right to participate in decisions regarding their life, however, adults often advocate on behalf of children. This Q methodological study explored whether shared perspectives among foster parents and care workers resemble shared perspectives of youth regarding the psychosocial needs experienced by youth with a history of sexual abuse. Participants sorted a set of statement cards according to what they thought was most important for youth. By-person factor analyses examined how the Q sorts of foster parents and care workers related to those of youth. The results showed that foster parents mostly recognized the group of youth who value an instrumental relationship with their carers, while care workers mostly recognized the group of youth who value support of both foster and birth parents with regard to their preparation for independent living. The two youth groups characterized by ambivalence and autonomy were barely recognized. Results are discussed in light of the expected roles of foster parents and care workers, and youth's contact with birth parents. Lastly, this study highlights the importance of youth participation, because youth offer unique and varying perspectives about their needs.

Psychosocial Needs of Children in Foster Care and the Impact of Sexual Abuse.

Children in family foster care, especially those who have experienced sexual abuse, require a safe and nurturing environment in which their psychosocial needs are met. However, there is limited knowledge on how youth prioritize various needs and what impact previous experiences have on these needs. In this study, we asked youth (formerly) in family foster care to indicate their psychosocial needs, and analyzed if youth with a history of sexual abuse have different needs. A Q methodological study was conducted with 44 youth (age 16-28). Fifteen of them reported sexual abuse during their childhood. Using by-person factor analyses, respondents who share similar subjective views were grouped together. Qualitative interpretations of the factors show differences and similarities between and within the two groups, related to help from others, being independent, processing the past, and working toward the future. Although the needs of youth with and without experiences of sexual abuse seem mostly similar, one group of sexually abused youth specifically indicated not wanting an emotional connection to foster parents, but instead a strictly instrumental, professional relationship. This study captured the diverse perspectives of youth themselves, revealing that children in foster care differ with regard to what they consider as (most) important safety, belonging, self-esteem and self-actualization needs.

The Needs of Foster Children and How to Satisfy Them: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Family foster care deeply influences the needs of children and how these are satisfied. To increase our knowledge of foster children's needs and how these are conceptualized, this paper presents a systematic literature review. Sixty-four empirical articles from six databases were reviewed and categorized (inter-rater agreement K = .78) into four categories: medical, belongingness, psychological and self-actualization needs. The results give a complete overview of needs that are specific to foster children, and what can be implemented to satisfy these needs. This study shows psychological needs are studied more often compared to the other categories, which specially relates to much attention for mental health problems. Furthermore, most articles focus on how to satisfy the needs of foster children and provide no definition or concrete conceptualization of needs. Strikingly, many articles focus on children's problems instead of their needs, and some even use these terms interchangeably. This review illustrates that future research should employ a proper conceptualization of needs, which could also initiate a shift in thinking about needs instead of problems.