Socio-emotional experiences, challenges, and coping strategies of foster children in Breman Esiam community, Ghana

Abstract

Bowlby’s attachment theory suggests that children experience lasting effects of disconnection if separated from their primary caretaker. Foster children are legally removed from their primary caretakers, yet the socio-emotional experiences of these children as well as the challenges, and coping strategies they use is unknown. Therfeore, this study explored socio-emotional experiences, challenges, and coping strategies of foster children in the Breman Esiam Community, Ghana. The study used interpretivism paradigm together with qualitative research approach. The study further used phenomenological research design. A sample of 15 participants were selected using snowballing sampling techniques. Semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data in this study. Data were analysed using themes and the direct quotes. It was found that loss and longing, resilience and connection, building trust and attachment, identity and belonging and loss and grief were key social-emotional experiences of foster children. Also, socio-emotional challenges facing foster children included: navigating loss and abandonment, building trust and attachment and identity and self-worth. Furthermore, resilience and inner strength, forming supportive connections, supportive friendships, and creative outlets, finding support in friendship were major coping strategies adopted by foster children to navigate the complexities of their socio-emotional challenges. Additionally, therapeutic counselling, mentoring, role models and life skills training, educational assistance and advocacy to family-based support were the social support services available to foster children. It was concluded that socio-emotional experiences of foster children highlighted the uniques challenges faced by this helpless population and the importace of understanding and addressing their needs. Further, social support systems, including mentorship, role models, educational support, family-based support, counselling, and life skills training helped these foster children in promoting resilience and coping abilities to socio-emotional challenges. It was recommended, among other brings, but a resource should be establish to offer counselling services to address the uniques needs of foster children.