Child Abuse & Neglect, Volume 30, Issue 10, pp. 1129– 1142
This study surveyed the characteristics of 652 foster parents. Results showed that foster parents were motivated by wanting to be loving parents to children and wanting to save children from harm. They derived satisfaction from positive working relationships with child welfare agencies. Negative relations with professional staff from child welfare agencies were linked to foster parents’ considering whether or not they should leave fostering.