Social support is needed by everyone, but particularly by vulnerable populations at times of transition. This study utilizes data collected from 96 former foster youth regarding supports they received during the transition from care. The report addresses three questions: (1) What types of supportive relationships did the sample report? (2) What…

The growing literature on sibling relationships throughout their lifespans is of great importance to those working in the child welfare system, and in adoption services in particular. Sibling bonds are important to all of us, but they are particularly vital to children from disorganized or dysfunctional families. These relationships assume even…

Examined foster mother attitudes about fostering siblings, and caseworker impressions of sibling placement. Found that half of mothers found children placed with siblings harder to foster while half found them easier than single children. Most caseworkers agreed with sibling placement policy, and that children placed with siblings were no more or…

This study of 115 foster home placements was conducted to determine the effect of placing siblings in the same foster home. (BRT)

Identifies three styles of sibling rivalry and three parent leadership styles, discussing parental mediation of sibling disputes through contracting and providing examples of group discipline techniques that facilitate development of less negative forms of rivalry and that support positive sibling bonding. (RH)

Considers the impact of separation from siblings on child development and on the development of natural support systems, describing the use of sibling groups to facilitate coping with separation and loss and maintaining sibling relationships. (MP)

Explores the problem of recidivism among children discharged from foster care by the Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA). Results presented from this first stage of the study focus on the relationship of child and family attributes to recidivism. (Author/RH)

Anecdotes of children in a Hawaii homeless shelter illustrate the ways in which play therapy helps sibling groups manage family crises, resolve conflicts, and express difficult feelings. (LB)

Examines systemic underpinnings of sibling incest and its relationship to internal and external factors of offending behavior. Describes treatment in context of offenders' families, underscoring poor boundaries, impact on the victim, and necessity of hierarchical reconstruction; argues formulation of a safety plan to prevent future offenses is…

To minimize potential problems in a family which is adopting a large sibling group, adoption workers should look for particular skills and resources in the adoptive family. These include administrative skills, community knowledge, the presence of adequate support systems, and the ability to adapt. (Author/BN)

Investigates the roles and problems of siblings of incest victims, describes the dynamics of the incestuous family, and identifies some behavior problems of children whose siblings were incest victims. Data from two siblings' lives are presented to illustrate points. (Author/DB)

Surveyed 72 adopted individuals who had sought for and found at least 1 biological parent. Although 86 percent of the respondents had a positive reaction to the reunion, only half felt they had a positive relationship with their biological parents. (BG)

This study explores from a dual perspective the impact of the fostering process on biological children in the home. Ten foster parents and their biological children were interviewed separately. The impact of foster care on the psychological, educational, and social well-being of biological children and their relationship with parents and siblings…

The adoptive mother of a large sibling group describes the considerations and problems (differing from those of a single adoption) arising in the adoption of such a group. (BR)

When choosing permanent homes for foster children, attachment, permanence, and kinship can be used as criteria for selection. Each of these criteria represents an established value in child welfare theory. Reports a case study of three siblings entering adoption in which the three criteria formed the basis for a placement recommendation that…