TY - CONF
T1 - New Family Dynamics
T2 - EuSARF2025: Transformation, Transition and Innovation in Child Welfare
AU - Koumaditis, Lise Jönsson
AU - Ørnskov, Charlotte
AU - Søbjerg, Lene Mosegaard
AU - Jæger, Sabina Jensen
AU - Rasmussen, Bo Morthorst
AU - Jørgensen, Anthon Sand
AU - Frederiksen, Stinne Tornøe
PY - 2025/9
Y1 - 2025/9
N2 - Background, Theoretical framework and Research questionsWhen children are placed in kinship care, it is often grandmom who steps into the parental role. This study focuses on the new roles and dynamics that emerge in families when grandmom or other close family members become the primary caregiver. By employing a reflexive relational approach inspired by Bourdieu & Wacquant (1992) and Morgan (2011), the study aims to understand how placement is experienced by different family members. It focuses on their interpretations and sense-making of new roles and tasks.
Research questions are:
How do new primary caregivers, biological parents and children experience and understand the new family relations? What happens when grandmom becomes mom? How do new family relations influence the individual family member and their relationships?
Methods
The study primarily relies on qualitative data from 15 semi-structured interviews with new primary caregivers, biological parents, and adults formerly in kinship care.In addition to these interviews, the study incorporates participant observations and semi-structured interviews with social workers from six municipalities in Denmark. These interviews are not directly related to our key informants, providing a broader perspective on the challenges and practices associated with kinship care and of the new family dynamics when family members take on the role of primary caregivers.
Findings
Our preliminary findings indicate that a change in parental roles present both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, these roles can create significant emotional and practical challenges as family members navigate the complexities of balancing their traditional role with the responsibilities of being a primary caregiver. This dual role often requires them to adapt to new parenting practices when managing the expectations of children, biological parents and the social services that placed the children in kinship care.On the other hand, the transition can also strengthen family cohesion. As the broader family comes together, it may provide a secure, stable, and nurturing environment for children. The involvement of family members in caregiving can foster a sense of family, which is crucial for the child's identity and sense of belonging.
Conclusions/implications
Previous research indicates that social work practice lacks knowledge and tools to support the family during kinship care (e.g. Svalastog et al., 2023; Skoglund et al. 2022; Linderot, 2020; Holtan et al. 2020; Knudsen, 2009). This study enhances our understanding of how family dynamics evolve and adapt to new social realities. The findings will potentially provide social workers, public administrators, policy makers and other professionals with valuable insights to better support families throughout the various stages of kinship care.
AB - Background, Theoretical framework and Research questionsWhen children are placed in kinship care, it is often grandmom who steps into the parental role. This study focuses on the new roles and dynamics that emerge in families when grandmom or other close family members become the primary caregiver. By employing a reflexive relational approach inspired by Bourdieu & Wacquant (1992) and Morgan (2011), the study aims to understand how placement is experienced by different family members. It focuses on their interpretations and sense-making of new roles and tasks.
Research questions are:
How do new primary caregivers, biological parents and children experience and understand the new family relations? What happens when grandmom becomes mom? How do new family relations influence the individual family member and their relationships?
Methods
The study primarily relies on qualitative data from 15 semi-structured interviews with new primary caregivers, biological parents, and adults formerly in kinship care.In addition to these interviews, the study incorporates participant observations and semi-structured interviews with social workers from six municipalities in Denmark. These interviews are not directly related to our key informants, providing a broader perspective on the challenges and practices associated with kinship care and of the new family dynamics when family members take on the role of primary caregivers.
Findings
Our preliminary findings indicate that a change in parental roles present both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, these roles can create significant emotional and practical challenges as family members navigate the complexities of balancing their traditional role with the responsibilities of being a primary caregiver. This dual role often requires them to adapt to new parenting practices when managing the expectations of children, biological parents and the social services that placed the children in kinship care.On the other hand, the transition can also strengthen family cohesion. As the broader family comes together, it may provide a secure, stable, and nurturing environment for children. The involvement of family members in caregiving can foster a sense of family, which is crucial for the child's identity and sense of belonging.
Conclusions/implications
Previous research indicates that social work practice lacks knowledge and tools to support the family during kinship care (e.g. Svalastog et al., 2023; Skoglund et al. 2022; Linderot, 2020; Holtan et al. 2020; Knudsen, 2009). This study enhances our understanding of how family dynamics evolve and adapt to new social realities. The findings will potentially provide social workers, public administrators, policy makers and other professionals with valuable insights to better support families throughout the various stages of kinship care.
KW - children and youth
KW - Anbragte børn og unge
KW - Familiedynamikker
KW - Slægt og netværk
KW - slægt og netværksanbringelse
KW - socialt arbejde og sociale forhold
KW - youth in care
KW - children in care
KW - social work and social conditions
M3 - Poster
Y2 - 10 September 2024 through 12 September 2025
ER -