Introduction

The study by Denise Poland and Victor Groze aims at examining the issues that foster parents and biological children regard as vital to discuss before undergoing the fostering experience in the family. The issues are considered necessary for better adjustment while experiencing the foster placement. The journal clearly states the main objective or purpose of the study as the examination of the essential issues that should be discussed between foster parents and their biological children before the fostering experience. It also summarizes the objectives that the authors aim at accomplishing at the end of the study. The research questions are clearly stated as they provide the information around which the study is centered. The questions are specific, and the target audience can easily understand the study’s objective without requiring further explanations (Poland & Groze, 1993, p. 4)

Methodology

The study takes a mixed methodology approach in formulating the answers to the research questions. The authors formulated open-ended questions which are qualitative research and close-ended questions that can be quantified. They used two sets of questionnaires that were for children, one set was for children between 8-13 years, which was close-ended, while the other set was for children above 14 years who used close-ended plus additional open-ended questions. Foster parents were provided with three pages of pre-coded questions with additional open-ended questions (Poland & Groze, 1993, p. 4-5)

The criteria required the family structure of two parents with biological or adopted children, the biological children to be currently living in the home or were living during the fostering experience and the families were currently involved in fostering. The age for participation for children was eight years and older, while the parent’s age ranged between 30-64 years with the modal age range of 36-40 years. The criterion was biased and it reduced the sample size. However, the research followed the social work ethical considerations by using voluntary participation.

The research used convenience sampling through contacting the local social work supervisors to provide the list of active foster family listings. Furthermore, foster families were emailed to introduce the investigator and explain the questionnaire they were expected to receive. Seventy-three families were contacted for voluntary participation, out of which 34 families completed the questionnaires and returned. The data collection instruments were mailed for the parent and child in business-sized envelopes along with a cover letter and a pre-stamped envelope to return the instruments after the survey. The families constituted 52 parents, two parents in each household who completed the questionnaire, and 51 biological children. The study does not specify any follow-ups conducted during the research, leading to the low turnout of responses. Out of the 73 families that were contacted, only 34 families completed and returned the survey. The authors do not indicate any unusual references within the study (Poland & Groze, 1993, p. 4-6)

Study Results

Forty-seven parents reported that the issue of foster care was discussed with biological children. Six parents said the mother discussed foster care. Thirty-five parents reported that they both discussed the issue, while 11 did not indicate who discussed the foster care. The topics discussed include sharing parental time (39%) and sharing possessions (25%). Forty-nine parents who answered the question reported that they observed both positive and negative effects of foster care on the biological children. 57% indicated positive outcomes, 65% of parents found that biological children appreciated their own families more due to foster care. 93% reported that biological children spent less time at home due to foster care, while 61% felt that foster care did not produce better family relationships (Poland & Groze, 1993, p. 7-8)

Out of 50 foster parents, 88 % felt that sharing parental attention was the most critical issue as biological children felt left out of the family. The majority of biological children (64%) of 51 children reported discussing foster care with their mother. However, the results did not match the parent’s response of 85%. 67% reported having changes in their home after foster placement, 70% liked having foster siblings, while 47% did not like the idea that things changed at home. Overall results reveal that both parents and biological children agree that the efforts made in preparation for the foster experience were not sufficient. Limitations of the study include, the assumption that all parents and children could read and write sufficiently to complete the questionnaire. The study had a bias in sampling the population, which led to the decreased size of the sample under investigation. Future research should aim at increasing the sample size for more accurate findings (Poland & Groze, 1993, p. 7-10)

The study successfully analyzed the challenges that biological children undergo during the foster experience by having foster parents and children report how they feel about the foster experience. The findings will help future families planning for foster care to prepare their biological children in advance and ensure they are ready for foster siblings. The article applies to social work since it aims at the overall wellness of biological children who undergo the foster experience. Social workers would help families during the preparation and transition phase of foster placement to ensure they adjust quickly. They would help parents explain the foster placement and help the family cope and be tolerable to stress.