Family foster care is a measure for promoting the rights and protection of children and youth at risk, indicated by the scientific literature and the Portuguese law as the preferred measure. However, it is far from being the most widely used in Portugal, with residential care being the measure that assumes this position. To better understand the experiences and characterize foster families regarding their levels of satisfaction, difficulties, and intention to continue fostering, this study used an online questionnaire to characterize the experiences of 39 foster carers in a new family foster care program taking place in Lisbon’s metropolitan region. The results show high satisfaction with the support received and low levels of difficulties with the fostering process and corroborate the international literature regarding the important role that foster care professionals play and their relationship with the foster families for the success of the fostering processes. The results also demonstrate that higher levels of satisfaction are associated with higher intention to continue fostering. The discussion of the results and conclusion of the study were made taking into consideration its implications for the improvement of foster care processes.
Date of Award | 26 Jan 2023 |
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Original language | Portuguese |
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Awarding Institution | - Universidade Católica Portuguesa
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Supervisor | Mariana Negrão (Supervisor) & Stephanie Raquel Gonçalves Alves (Co-Supervisor) |
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- Family foster care
- Foster families
- Satisfaction
- Difficulties
- Intention to keep fostering
Famílias de acolhimento em Portugal: um estudo sobre satisfação, dificuldades e intenção de continuar a acolher
Santos, C. M. N. (Student). 26 Jan 2023
Student thesis: Master's Thesis