The life experiences of foster families: A phenomenological examination of risk and protective factors

The aim of this study is to examine the challenges experienced by foster families during the caregiving process and the ways in which they cope with these challenges within the framework of the Relational Resilience Model. The study was conducted using a phenomenological qualitative approach. The study group consisted of 15 foster families in Türkiye who had been involved in the foster care system for at least one year. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview form and analyzed using content analysis. The findings showed that foster families most frequently experience child-related difficulties in the areas of social adaptation, psychological problems, health issues, behavioral difficulties, and the educational process. In the parenting role, emotional exhaustion, the burden of responsibility, and societal prejudices emerged as prominent sources of strain; whereas in spousal relationships, the sharing of caregiving responsibilities, differences in disciplinary approaches, and communication problems were identified as significant challenges. In the background of these difficulties, foster families were found to activate various coping mechanisms. Self-awareness, patience, hope, spiritual resources, and resilience stood out as individual-level strategies, while spousal solidarity, support from extended family and social networks, and professional assistance from social workers and psychological counselors functioned as relational protective factors. It is considered that the results of this study will contribute to the planning of psychosocial services for foster families and to the strengthening of child protection policies.