Examining the Structure and Dynamics of Kinship Care Groups |
| |
Authors: | Anne Bartone Mitchell Rosenwald Laura Bronstein |
| |
Institution: | 1. Graduate School of Education, The Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology , University at Buffalo , 409 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260abartone@buffalo.edu;3. School of Social Work , Barry University , 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL, 33161-6695;4. Department of Social Work, College of Community and Public Affairs , Binghamton University , P. O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY, 13902 |
| |
Abstract: | ABSTRACT In the fall of 2006, a self-administered Internet survey was made available to all kinship care group facilitators listed in the 2006 New York State Office for the Aging's directory for kinship care providers. The survey sought facilitators' views on the purpose and structural aspects of the groups and to understand whether and how mutual aid processes were occurring. A purposive sample of 16 participants (53% response rate) completed the online quantitative survey that included space for qualitative comments. Findings revealed that 75% of participants facilitated a kinship care group in the past 5 years, and they believed their group purposes primarily included support and growth. Additionally, participants reported that all mutual aid principles occurred in their groups, with the supportive mutual aid interventions occurring more frequently than the challenging ones. Finally, themes from open-ended responses included 1) an enhanced sense of solidarity developed among group members, 2) the importance of facilitators' show of compassion for group members, and 3) facilitators' need to have a working knowledge of and ability to maximize available resources. Implications for serving the needs of kinship care providers through groups and other practices are addressed. |
| |
Keywords: | Kinship care group facilitators mutual aid kinship care group providers |
|
|