Attn: Foster Parents…
University of Alberta Ph.D. student Brendon Pratt is conducting a qualitative study exploring the relationships between foster children and biological children of foster parents in the home. Anecdotal evidence supports the idea that these relationships can be meaningful, but these relationships have not been researched.
As a foster parent, you may have cared for your biological children as well as the foster children who came into your home. If so, you likely observed the challenges and successes of both your foster and biological children, noticing when they got along and when they squabbled. This research aims to look at positive foster-biological child relationships to explore how, and why, they worked well.
To explore these relationships, the study would involve interviewing foster children and biological children who have developed and maintained a relationship while in the foster home, and who are now 18 or older. If your biological and foster children developed a relationship, we are asking you to share this with them to see if they are interested in participating in the study.
Should they also be interested in participating in the study, which includes an individual interview, along with a joint interview with the other individual, please ask them to contact Brendon directly at (780) 680-5787 or bjpratt@ualberta.ca. Assistance in the study is voluntary and appreciated, and participants will receive a $50 honorarium for their contribution.
The plan for this study has been reviewed for its adherence to ethical guidelines by a Research Ethics Board at the University of Alberta. For questions regarding participant rights and ethical conduct of research, contact the Research Ethics Office at (780) 492-2615.
Thank you for considering this request. All data gathered will aid in creating a better understanding around these significant relationships.
See below for participant poster and letter from Ph.D student, Brendon Pratt:
