Die identifisering van hanteringsbehoeftes by pleegouers van voorskoolse pleegkinders met fetale alkoholsindroom

Abstract

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a problem in South Africa, especially in the Western Cape. Many children FAS end up in foster care due to their parents’ alcohol abuse and inability to care for their children. Much research has been done in academic and social environments on the presentation and symptoms of FAS. Less is known about the needs of foster parents fostering children with FAS. It is therefore the aim of the researcher to conduct research in this field. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the needs of foster parents when handling their preschool foster children with FAS. The research question for this study is as follows: What are the needs of foster parents in handling their preschool foster children with FAS? This research question was addressed through the use of qualitative research. The study can be classified as explorative and descriptive research. Seventeen foster parents from two child welfare organisations were selected by means of a purposive, non-probability sample. Focus group interviews were used to identify the needs of foster parents in handling their preschool foster children with FAS. The interviews were transcribed for the purpose of data analysis and were analyzed according to the steps of Creswell (2007). Seven themes were identified, namely (1) Disciplining preschool foster children with FAS; (2) Coping with the behaviour of preschool children with FAS; (3) Support services to foster parents/ foster children; (4) Information/ support regarding FAS; (5) Rejection of preschool foster children with FAS; (6) Emotional impact of the preschool foster children with FAS on foster parents; (7) The role of the biological parents of the preschool foster child with FAS. These themes were divided into sub-themes and discussed according to relevant narratives from the interviews and controlled with literature. Conclusions and recommendations were made according to each theme.