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10-06-2021

Does Kinship vs. Foster Care Better Promote Connectedness? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Auteurs: Alison Hassall, Elmie Janse van Rensburg, Sebastian Trew, David J. Hawes, Dave S. Pasalich

Gepubliceerd in: Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review | Uitgave 4/2021

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Abstract

Internationally, there is an increasing trend toward placing children in kinship vs. foster care. Prior research suggests that children in kinship care fare better compared to children in foster care; however, the reasons for this remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the hypothesis that kinship care better preserves children’s connectedness to caregiver, birth family, culture, and community; which, in turn, is associated with more optimal child outcomes. Thirty-one studies were reviewed that compared children aged 0–18 years in kinship care vs. foster care on levels of connectedness, three of which had outcomes that permitted meta-analysis. Findings indicated that children in kinship vs. foster care were more likely to feel connected to family in general; however, there was not a clear advantage for kinship vs. foster care for caregiver, birth parent, cultural, and community connectedness. While levels of connectedness were generally associated with more adaptive child outcomes for children in both kinship and foster care, no reviewed studies examined the hypothesis that children’s connectedness may mediate the relationship between placement type and child well-being and placement outcomes. Results are discussed with respect to limitations and policy implications of the current evidence-base and the need for more rigorous research to help identify how to improve child well-being in home-based care.
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Metagegevens
Titel
Does Kinship vs. Foster Care Better Promote Connectedness? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Auteurs
Alison Hassall
Elmie Janse van Rensburg
Sebastian Trew
David J. Hawes
Dave S. Pasalich
Publicatiedatum
10-06-2021
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review / Uitgave 4/2021
Print ISSN: 1096-4037
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2827
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-021-00352-6