Do adolescent girls' relationships with their parents influence their perceptions of the therapeutic alliance and group climate in residential care?

Abstract

Adolescent girls placed in residential care are often the victims of childhood experiences of maltreatment. Their history of relational trauma may subsequently limit their ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with others, a central component for their development and adaptation. The goal of the present study was to determine the nature and strength of associations between adolescent girls' relationship quality with their parents at admission to care and their perceptions, 3 months later, of the therapeutic alliance and group climate within their unit. The sample consisted of 156 adolescent girls between the ages of 12 and 18 living in residential care. Path analysis using structural equation modelling examined significant associations between variables. Results revealed that adolescent girls' perceptions of greater relationship quality with their mothers were associated with more positive perceptions of (a) their therapeutic alliance with their mentor, (b) their relationships with other care workers, and (c) the care practices of their unit. Perceptions of greater relationship quality with their fathers were associated with more positive perceptions of their relationships with the other girls in their unit. Relationship quality with parents as a significant factor to consider in the context of out-of-home care for adolescents is discussed.