Characterization of matching in foster families

Foster care is a temporary family-based placement for children whose parents cannot take care of them. A good matching between the foster family and the child might improve the outcomes of this placement. This qualitative study explored the professional decision of matching a child with a non-kinship foster family in the child protection system. We conducted 17 semi-structured interviews with professionals working in foster care agencies in five regions of Chile. Applying the hierarchical content analysis, we identified five central constructs related to the case, the caregiver, the child, the organization, and the decision makers. We discussed the preponderance of criteria used by professionals in the process of matching, the relevant content found, and the implications of the findings for research, policy and practice, with a special focus on the implications for the Chilean child protection system

Caracterización Psicológica de un Grupo de Delincuentes Sexuales Chilenos a través del Test de Rorschach Psychological Profile of Chilean Sexual Offenders through the Rorschach Inkblot Test

Es relevante profundizar en las motivaciones que determinan la conducta criminal e intentar una aproximación a la personalidad de quienes delinquen. Así, este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la posible existencia de características psicológicas comunes en un grupo de delincuentes sexuales. Con este propósito se utilizó el Test de Rorschach y, como criterio de comparación, datos de individuos con comisión de un delito de hurto y/o robo y datos estadísticos del Rorschach de referencia nacional. Se encontraron diferencias significativas con ambos grupos, lo que sugiere la existencia de un conjunto de características psicológicas en los delincuentes sexuales que les serían propias y les distinguirían tanto del resto de la población como del resto de los delincuentes comunes.<br>It is relevant to deepen our understanding of the motivations of criminal behaviour and to try to understand such personalities. The objective of this study was to determine if there were underlying psychological characteristics common to sexual offenders. For this purpose, the Rorschach Inkblot test was used and, as comparative parameters, individuals with histories of theft and Chilean national Rorschach statistics. Significant differences were found in both groups, which suggest the existence of underlying common psychological traits in sexual offenders. These traits make them stand out from the general population and from other common delinquents

Caracterización del emparejamiento en familias de acogida

Foster care is a temporary family-based placement for children whose parents cannot take care of them. A good matching between the foster family and the child might improve the outcomes of this placement. This qualitative study explored the professional decision of matching a child with a non-kinship foster family in the child protection system. We conducted 17 semi-structured interviews with professionals working in foster care agencies in five regions of Chile. Applying the hierarchical content analysis, we identified five central constructs related to the case, the caregiver, the child, the organization, and the decision makers. We discussed the preponderance of criteria used by professionals in the process of matching, the relevant content found, and the implications of the findings for research, policy and practice, with a special focus on the implications for the Chilean child protection system

Characterization of matching in foster families

Las familias de acogida son una alternativa de cuidado para niñas y niños que han sido vulnerados en sus derechos y requieren ser protegidos por el estado. El proceso de colocación en una familia de acogida específica, denominado matching en inglés y conocido como emparejamiento en países de habla hispana como Chile o España, permitiría mejorar las oportunidades de ese niño o niña para aprovechar las potencialidades de esta medida de protección. Esta investigación cualitativa exploró las características del emparejamiento con familias de acogida externas en Chile, a través de 17 entrevistas semiestructuradas a profesionales de los programas de Familias de Acogida (FAE) en 5 regiones del país. Se utilizó el análisis de contenido jerárquico ponderado (Pérez-Luco, 2005) que permitió la identificación de 5 núcleos centrales de contenido relativos al caso, al cuidador, al niño o niña, a la organización y al profesional que toma la decisión. Se discute respecto de la preponderancia de los criterios utilizados por las y los profesionales en el emparejamiento, de los contenidos relevantes y las implicancias de esta investigación para el sistema proteccional chileno.Foster care is a temporary family-based placement for children whose parents cannot take care of them. A good matching between the foster family and the child might improve the outcomes of this placement. This qualitative study explored the professional decision of matching a child with a non-kinship foster family in the child protection system. We conducted 17 semi structured interviews with professionals working in foster care agencies in 5 regions of Chile. Applying the hierarchical content analysis (Pérez-Luco, 2005), we identified 5 central constructs related to the case, the caregiver, the child, the organization, and the decision makers. We discussed the preponderance of criteria used by professionals in the process of matching, the relevant content found, and the implications of the findings for research, policy and practice, with a special focus on the implications for the Chilean child protection system.