Maltreated Children's Social Understanding and Empathy: A Preliminary Exploration of Foster Carers' Perspectives.
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| Title: | Maltreated Children's Social Understanding and Empathy: A Preliminary Exploration of Foster Carers' Perspectives. |
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| Authors: | Luke, Nikki, Banerjee, Robin |
| Source: | Journal of Child & Family Studies. Apr2012, Vol. 21 Issue 2, p237-246. 10p. 1 Diagram, 1 Chart. |
| Subjects: | Adult child abuse victims, Attitude (Psychology), Child development, Empathy, Focus groups, Foster parents, Interpersonal relations, Interviewing, Research methodology, Qualitative research, Thematic analysis |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| Abstract: | Previous research suggests that parental abuse and neglect can have adverse effects on children's peer relationships and self-perceptions. Emerging theoretical and empirical work suggests that children's social understanding and empathy could play a key role as mediators of these effects, but we have little knowledge about the viability of such a model in explaining the everyday experiences of children in care. Thus, in order to gain an in-depth insight into the potentiality of this conceptual model, a focus group and detailed semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with a total of 10 foster carers. First, a thematic analysis revealed that problematic self-perceptions and peer relationships were indeed commonplace. Crucially, in line with our theoretical model, carers readily identified children's difficulties with social understanding and empathy as relevant explanations for their socio-emotional problems. Carers reported using a variety of strategies to help children, but expressed a need for a clearer training package of practical strategies that could be used to encourage social understanding and empathy in children, with the aim of improving their social relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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