Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1989

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Social Work

Major Professor

Carmelo L. Cocozzelli

Committee Members

James Orten, Luther Kindall, Ellie Moses

Abstract

This study examined five questions: (1) Can a valid and reliable measure of children's behavior during parent-child visitation based on parental self-report be developed? (2) What is the relationship between children's behavior during visitation and various characteristics of foster placement? (3) What is the relation between children's behavior during visitation and various demographic variables of families with children in foster care? (4) What is the relation between interpersonal characteristics of families with children in foster care and demographic and foster placement characteristics? (5) What is the relation between planned outcomes of foster care and the following three categories of variables: (a) foster placement characteristics, (b) demographic variables of families with children in foster care, and (c) interpersonal characteristics of families with children in foster care? These questions were studied with an instrument devised by the author to measure children's behavior during parent-child visitation, a previously validated scale measuring interpersonal characteristics of families (FES) and data on a number of foster placement and demographic characteristics of families with children in foster care. Settings sampled represented nineteen branch offices of the Tennessee State Department of Human Services within East Tennessee. The study sample Human Services within East Tennessee. The study sample consisted of 103 parents of children in foster care. The findings revealed that: (1) four underlying dimensions characterized children's behavior during visitation based on parental self-report: Positive Emotional Interaction, Detachment Behavior, Attachment Behavior, and Positive Affect and Closeness. The analyses revealed these four subscales (Child Behavior Scales or CBS) were valid and reliable measures of children's behavior during visitation. (2) Older children tended to be in care longer lengths of time, had fewer contacts with their parents and were also reported by parents as more detached during visitation. (3) Older parents tended to have older children who were in care as a result of their own behavior and these children remain in foster care longer, had fewer contacts with parents and showed more detachment behavior during parent-child visitation. (4) Families who were the least expressive tended to be older and had children who were in care longer, while younger families were more likely to have friends living in the home prior to the child's removal, had children who were more likely to be in care as a result of neglect or abuse and to be less cohesive and organized. (5) A ten variable model correctly classified 93% of the cases according to planned outcomes of care. Based on this model, variables describing stable versus unstable homes predicted plans for reunification/adoption versus long-term foster care.

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