Childhood experiences of adversity and resilience in adults raised under Kinship foster care

Abstract

This study explored the resilience and adversity experiences of young adults who grew up in South Africa's kinship foster care system. It looked at how their upbringing in this system has influenced their capacity to deal with adversity and grow resilient from childhood to adulthood. This study takes a strengths-based, solution-oriented approach, departing from a deficit-based viewpoint that frequently solely emphasises the difficulties in foster care raised individuals. The study sought to identify the protective variables and adaptive methods that have contributed to the positive outcomes of individuals who have not only survived but also thrived despite the challenges they faced while receiving kinship care. The study identifies protective variables and adaptive methods not only for parents but for professionals that work within these fields. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine the perceptions of nine participants regarding kinship foster care in South Africa. The results show a more complex view of the system, emphasising its advantages, difficulties, and how different systemic factors interact to shape the experience. Key findings indicate that while the majority of individuals experienced early adversity, including emotional maltreatment, parental loss, and isolation, the quality of kinship interactions had a significant impact on their outcomes. Resilience was fostered by faith, independence, and early responsibility in addition to familial relationships. The study emphasises that kinship foster care can effectively enhance resilience, but only in conjunction with formal interventions, carer readiness, and continuous support.