Foster families present an interesting study of adaptation, since the introduction or “intrusion” of a new family member (the foster child) changes both family membership and the amount and type of resources needed to accomplish family goals and functions. Family adaptation depends, in part, on the family’s ability to cope with the initial stressor and the subsequent crisis related to fostering. Very little is known or documented about which resources may be needed or used by foster families in their adaptation to a new family member. When the new foster family member is an unaccompanied refugee minor from Vietnam, even less information is available. Problems and misunderstandings are inevitable; and if the foster family feels it cannot cope with the stressors or challenges presented by the new situation, family adaptation will be seriously threatened. The purpose of this research was to identify the kinds of families that facilitate successful family adaptation in a situation of fostering a refugee youth. Elements of exploratory and descriptive research designs were used. Because the study design was guided by the Double ABCX model of Foster Family Adaptation, the following family-level variables were defined: (1) foster family structure, developmental stage and social status; (2) the fostering experience; (3) foster family resources; (4) foster family perception of the stressor; and (5) foster family adaptation. Data were collected through structured interviews with 43 foster parents and 56 refugee youth, who were participating in one of the ten largest Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program in the United States. Five different instruments were used in home interview situations: (1) two separate interview schedules for foster parents and youth; (2) the Family APGAR and the Family Environment Scale completed by foster parents and youth; and (3) the Vietnamese Depression Scale for the foster youth only. The major finding from this study of foster families caring for unaccompanied refugee minors from Vietnam was that the Double ABCX Model of Foster Family Adaptation was useful for describing factors that influence families, with three different adaptation patterns: Satisfactory, Minimal and Perilous adaptation. The sample foster families reported differences for the four coping variables of the model: (1) background characteristics; (2) multiple factors related to the fostering experience; (3) availability of and satisfaction with family and environmental resources; and (4) perceptions of the foster family experience as a stressor. The dissertation citation and abstract contained here is published with permission of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission.
