Acogimiento en familia extensa: perfil psicosocial de las familias y de los menores acogidos

Abstract

Extended family foster care family is the most frequent protective measure for minors in Spain. The objectives of the present study are to analyze the family profile according to different dimensions, knowing the state of psychosocial health care of minors in foster care and study the relationship between family and minor variables. The sample consisted of 101 families and 121 minors between 6 and 17 years old (M = 10.07; DT = 3.92), living in the province of Valencia. The evaluation was carried out through individual interviews with every family. Results show good functionality of families taking into account the family climate, the level of stress, the educational styles and the supports they have, but they also show the risks in general associated with the high age range of the welcoming, who are usually grandmothers. In foster children problems of school achievement appear, as well as internalized and externalized problems. The presence of psychosocial problems in a clinical range stands out in 32.4% of minors. There is a negative relationship between psychosocial problems in foster children and family functionality, presenting guidelines for the formation of families and for intervention with minors, to mainly preventive and clinical level in psychological health.