Evaluation of factors affecting family belonging feelings of children with foster families: İzmir case

Aim: The aim of this study is to describe factors affecting sense of belonging feelings of foster children and to reach recommendations to make the service better for the benefit of the child. Materials and Methods : This is a qualitative study for descriptive purposes. The sample of the study consists of foster children between the ages of 12-18 and their foster families in İzmir. The data is collected by face to face in-depth interview. Semi-structured questions prepared by the researcher aimed at describing the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and understanding their views on the subject were used as a starting point for interviews. The answers of the participants were recorded with a voice recorder and then transferred to the computer in writing and investigated through inductive thematic analysis through Maxqda Program Findings: When the data obtained from the participants was examined it was seen that factors were grouped under two main themes as "Factors Affecting the Relationship Between Foster Child and the Foster Family" and "Factors Affecting Family Belonging Feelings Of Children". Parents' attitudes and behaviors were found to be the most important factor affecting the sense of belonging of the children in need of protection for their foster families. It was seen that the children of the foster parents who respect the personal characteristics of their children, are sensitive to children's problems, have high communication and coping skills and desire to spend quality time with their children have a high sense of family belonging. The reasons to want to be a foster family, the personality of the child, his / her thoughts about his / her biological family or the traumatic life experiences of the children were found to have limited effects on the sense of belonging. Result: Factors affecting the sense of belonging of foster children are the communication and communication and coping skills of families. The sense of belonging is high for the families who show democratic parental attitude towards their children in need of protection. Key words: Foster family, child in need of protection, sense of belonging