Abstract
Adolescents in foster care often exhibit risk behaviours such as aggression, substance use, defiance, and truancy, behaviours that can pose significant challenges for foster parents. These behaviours are frequently rooted in the trauma, instability, and loss that many foster adolescents experienced before placement. This study aimed to explore foster parents' lived experiences in navigating these challenges, with a particular focus on their perspectives, the challenges they encounter, and the coping mechanisms they employ. A qualitative research approach was employed to explore these complex and emotionally nuanced experiences. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with eight purposively selected foster parents. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns, insights, and shared meanings in the participants’ narratives. Data collection continued until data saturation was achieved.
A content analysis revealed that foster parents were motivated to take on a foster care role for several diverse reasons, including economic struggles, kinship responsibilities, and altruism. Furthermore, the findings revealed that most of these foster parents, at the time of the study, reported that their fostered adolescents were engaged in multiple interconnected risk behaviours, such as substance use, delinquency, and poor academic performance. It appears that these behaviours placed immense emotional, psychological, and practical strain on foster parents, who nonetheless demonstrated resilience through faith, perseverance, and continued commitment. However, gaps in systemic support left many foster parents isolated, overwhelmed, and vulnerable to burnout. The lack of consistent psychosocial services and limited access to professional intervention further intensified their sense of helplessness, as they were often left to manage complex behavioural challenges without adequate guidance or relief.
Based on these findings, the researcher argued that while strong cultural traditions and compassion sustain foster care, its success is undermined by poverty, unemployment, and weak support systems. Adolescents’ behavioural challenges are not isolated problems but part of a broader cycle of trauma, disadvantage, and poor systemic response. Guided by the study's findings, the researcher recommends that comprehensive, coordinated, and readily accessible intervention and support mechanisms be systematically provided to foster parents on an ongoing basis to enhance their capacity to provide stable and nurturing environments for adolescents in their care.