Abstract

Youth in the foster care system are often removed from their biological families because of challenges to their safety and wellbeing and are often at risk for further placement disruption and poor socio-emotional development. Placement stability is a crucial component to establishing permanency and placement satisfaction might be a contributing factor. This study uses an ecological framework to explore the impact of the foster youth’s ecosystem, such as the foster child, foster parent, child welfare worker, and the placement environment on placement satisfaction. This quantitative study uses secondary data to determine the predictability of these factors on placement satisfaction of foster youth (10-17) in care for at least a year. Results from cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses show that the youth’s perception of their relationship with the caregiver, and type of placement are important contributors to placement satisfaction. The study has important implications for theory, research, and practice.

LLU Discipline

Family Studies

Department

Counseling and Family Sciences

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Fox, Curtis A.

Second Advisor

Distelberg, Brian

Third Advisor

Flynn, Robert

Fourth Advisor

Oloo, Winetta

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2015

Date (Title Page)

9-2015

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Foster Children -- Care; Foster Children -- Mental health; Foster Home Care -- Psychology; Caregivers -- Psychology; Family Therapy

Subject - Local

Foster Care System; Placement stability; Placement Satisfaction

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

175

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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