6533b871fe1ef96bd12d15e2

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Dynamics of institutional and family ties of the child placed in foster care : the contribution of attachment theory and the psychodynamic approach

subject

description

This research studies dynamics of the institutional and family ties of the foster child with a complementary approach that articulates attachment theory and a psychodynamic perspective. METHODOLOGY. Through a mixed (quantitative and qualitative) and longitudinal (one year) methodology, the research was conducted with ten children (N=10) who have just arrived for the first time in foster care and professionals (N=17) who surround them. Tools used were the CCH, RQ, Ca-mir, Edicode (for attachment) and projective proofs of drawings with semi-structured clinical research interviews (for transfer and counter-transfer investments). RESULTS. Results show that children who have just arrived in foster care express disorganized attachment and negative or neutral transfer investments towards professionals. One year later, attachment modalities are more secure with positive transfer investments. On the professional side, results indicate a secure attachment on their current interpersonal attachment relationships and mostly insecure on their filial and parental attachment. They show pre-counter-transfer expressions upon arrival of the child, which decrease during the year of placement. ANALYSIS. Children experience the intensity of past traumas by updating them in the relationship with professionals. The relationship is experienced as threatening and a potential source of danger. On the professional side, the clinical analysis of interviews and the difference in results show that they express intensive pre- countertransference towards the child (upon arrival in foster care). DISCUSSION. The positive evolution of children's outcomes would be linked to the work of internalizing the alternative attachment pattern, which has reshaping effects on the conflict of the child's security base by compensating for the insecure attachment patterns of parents of previously introduced births, leaving the manifestation of latent psychological conflicts inherent to the problematic of foster care to remain. As far as professionals are concerned, the child's reparation seems to secure their current attachment, without resolving past traumas. This shared security base is driven by a search for normal repair with a creative dimension, which could be found in all professions in the helping relationship. In this context, in addition to highlighting the therapeutic issues, concrete avenues are proposed in terms of research-action, on the part of the child, professionals and the institution.