A Study on the Experience of Children's Long-Term Boarding Care at Surrogate Foster Home

조부모 대리양육 아동의 장기위탁경험에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning and nature of long term boarding care of children provided by grandparents in surrogate foster homes. Data were collected from 10 children 15 to 18 years of age by in depth interviews and observation from May 2007 to July 2007. Analysis of data was by the phenomenological analytic method of Giorgi(1970). Seven essential themes were extracted: (1) ambivalence about being labeled "family headed by a child," (2) recognition of the burden to grandparents with appreciation for their care, (3) resentment and yearning for parents, (4) economic hardship, (5) discord with grandparents, (6) maladjustment to school life, and (7) overcoming such obstacles as poor economic conditions and loneliness.