Maltreated children's emotional availability with kin and non-kin foster mothers: A sociobiological perspective

Relationship differences between maltreated child-kin foster mother dyads and maltreated child-non-kin foster mother dyads were examined using Emotional Availability (EA) Scales. A sample of 106 maltreated children (2-8 years old), referred for mental health services, and their biological/kin (n=50) or non-kin (n=56) foster mothers were assessed for EA in semi-structured play sessions. After controlling for child's age, foster mother's age, foster mother's education, and placement duration. foster mother's status as kin or non-kin did not predict emotional availability between maltreated child and foster mother. Findings did not support the hypothesis of a sociobiological-based relationship advantage for kin foster placements. Limitations of the clinical sample of foster children and the lack of measurements for external support are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.