Exploring risk and protective factors in kinship family environments: a systematic literature review of the views of children in kinship care

ABSTRACT

Kinship care is care provided by members of a child’s extended family or friend network when they can no longer live with their parents. Kinship care is the most prevalent form of out-of-home care, both internationally and in the UK. Little is known about kinship care from the perspectives of children and specifically, the risk and protective factors which may be at play. To explore this gap, this systematic literature review appraised and synthesised qualitative research that gives voice to children’s experiences of kinship care. Twenty eligible studies were assessed for quality and relevance. A thematic synthesis of the studies’ findings was undertaken, and themes suggesting risk and protective factors for children in kinship care were generated. The theorised risk and protective factors for children in kinship care are presented. Implications of the findings for educational psychology (EP) practice are discussed and the need for further research identified.

KEYWORDS:

• kinship care
• risk factors
• protective factors
• systematic review
• children’s views

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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Funding

The authors reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.