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Sibling relationships of youth in foster care: A predictor of resilience

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  • Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson
  • McWey, Lenore M.
  • Waid, Jeffery

Abstract

Few empirical investigations have been conducted examining sibling relationships among youth in foster care, and even fewer have explored relationship warmth as a protective factor. With a sample of 246 youth from a non-profit organization's summer camp program, Camp To Belong, this study examined the association between a warm sibling relationship and resilience for youth in foster care. A warm sibling relationship significantly predicted individual resilience for both middle childhood and adolescence developmental periods. Younger youth with poorer sibling relationship warmth had lower resilience. The implications of these findings are important given that resilience is a factor associated with improved outcomes in the face of adversity. The promotion of sibling relationships, a readily available resource, can be drawn upon by those in clinical practice to improve outcomes for youth in foster care.

Suggested Citation

  • Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson & McWey, Lenore M. & Waid, Jeffery, 2018. "Sibling relationships of youth in foster care: A predictor of resilience," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 247-254.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:84:y:2018:i:c:p:247-254
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.11.030
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Waid, Jeffrey & Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson, 2017. "Evaluation of a multi-site program designed to strengthen relational bonds for siblings separated by foster care," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 69-77.
    2. Leathers, Sonya J., 2005. "Separation from siblings: Associations with placement adaptation and outcomes among adolescents in long-term foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 793-819, July.
    3. Hegar, Rebecca L. & Rosenthal, James A., 2009. "Kinship care and sibling placement: Child behavior, family relationships, and school outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6), pages 670-679, June.
    4. Richardson, Sabrina M. & Yates, Tuppett M., 2014. "Siblings in foster care: A relational path to resilience for emancipated foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P3), pages 378-388.
    5. Tarren-Sweeney, Michael & Hazell, Philip, 2005. "The mental health and socialization of siblings in care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 821-843, July.
    6. Smith, Maureen C., 1998. "Sibling placement in foster care: An exploration of associated concurrent preschool-aged child functioning," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(5), pages 389-412, June.
    7. Haight, Wendy & Finet, Dayna & Bamba, Sachiko & Helton, Jesse, 2009. "The beliefs of resilient African-American adolescent mothers transitioning from foster care to independent living: A case-based analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 53-62, January.
    8. Herrick, Mary Anne & Piccus, Wendy, 2005. "Sibling connections: The importance of nurturing sibling bonds in the foster care system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 845-861, July.
    9. Unrau, Yvonne A. & Seita, John R. & Putney, Kristin S., 2008. "Former foster youth remember multiple placement moves: A journey of loss and hope," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(11), pages 1256-1266, November.
    10. Berzin, Stephanie Cosner, 2010. "Vulnerability in the transition to adulthood: Defining risk based on youth profiles," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 487-495, April.
    11. Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson & McWey, Lenore M. & Helfrich, Christine M., 2013. "Sibling relationships and internalizing symptoms of youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 1071-1077.
    12. Hegar, Rebecca L. & Rosenthal, James A., 2011. "Foster children placed with or separated from siblings: Outcomes based on a national sample," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1245-1253, July.
    13. Wulczyn, Fred & Zimmerman, Emily, 2005. "Sibling placements in longitudinal perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 741-763, July.
    14. Shlonsky, Aron & Bellamy, Jennifer & Elkins, Jennifer & Ashare, Caryn J., 2005. "The other kin: Setting the course for research, policy, and practice with siblings in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 697-716, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. DiGiovanni, Anna & Font, Sarah A., 2021. "Revisiting conventional wisdom: What do we know from 30 years of research on sibling placement in foster care?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    2. Jones, Christine & Henderson, Gillian & Woods, Ruth, 2019. "Relative strangers: Sibling estrangements experienced by children in out-of-home care and moving towards permanence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 226-235.
    3. Cherry, Donna J. & Orme, John G., 2019. "Vital Few and Useful Many foster families from start to finish," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 172-180.
    4. Huaruo Chen & Qiuyun Hong & Jie Xu & Fei Liu & Ya Wen & Xueying Gu, 2021. "Resilience Coping in Preschool Children: The Role of Emotional Ability, Age, and Gender," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-21, May.
    5. Luu, Betty & Wright, Amy Conley & Cashmore, Judith, 2020. "Sibling networks of children adopted from out-of-home care in New South Wales, Australia," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    6. Waid, Jeffrey & Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson, 2019. "Evaluating the impact of camp-based reunification on the resilience of siblings separated by foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 274-282.
    7. McCarthy, Lauren Pryce & Lee, Bethany R. & Schagrin, Judith & Loysen, Susan, 2020. "“Knowing that I wasn’t alone”: An evaluation of a therapeutic camp reunifying siblings in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    8. Novak, Abigail & Benedini, Kristen, 2020. "Sibling separation and self-reported offending: An examination of the association between sibling placement and offending behavior," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    9. Herbster, Julia M. & Ocasio, Kerrie, 2021. "The complex relationship between sibling contact and child and family well-being in foster care: An exploration of child and family functioning in a pre-permanency cohort," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    10. Findley, Erin & Praetorius, Regina T., 2023. "Points of foster parent stress in the system: A qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    11. Edwards, Travonne & Laylor, Andre & King, Bryn & Parada, Henry, 2023. "When home reminds me of jail: The carceral nature of out-of-home care for Black youth in Ontario’s child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    12. Stevenson Wojciak, Armeda & Simpson, Jessica E. & Tomfohrde, Olivia & Wang, Guanyu, 2024. "Barriers and facilitators of sibling relationships of youth in foster care from an ecological perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    13. Lorna Stabler, 2024. "“They Finally See Me, They Trust Me, My Brother’s Coming Home” Recognising the Motivations and Role of Siblings Who Become Kinship Carers," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-16, February.
    14. Florencia Barreto-Zarza & Manuel Sánchez de Miguel & Jesús Ibarluzea & Llúcia González-Safont & Marisa Rebagliato & Enrique B. Arranz-Freijo, 2021. "Family Context Assessment in Middle Childhood: A Tool Supporting Social, Educational, and Public Health Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-17, January.

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