Maltreated children's emotional availability with kin and non-kin foster mothers: A sociobiological perspective

Relationship differences between maltreated child–kin foster mother dyads and maltreated child–non-kin foster mother dyads were examined using Emotional Availability (EA) Scales. A sample of 106 maltreated children (2–8 years old), referred for mental health services, and their biological/kin (n = 50) or non-kin (n = 56) foster mothers were assessed for EA in semi-structured play sessions. After controlling for child's age, foster mother's age, foster mother's education, and placement duration, foster mother's status as kin or non-kin did not predict emotional availability between maltreated child and foster mother. Findings did not support the hypothesis of a sociobiological-based relationship advantage for kin foster placements. Limitations of the clinical sample of foster children and the lack of measurements for external support are discussed.