Browsing by Subject "obligation of non-disclosure"

The Finnish legislation states that foster parents have an obligation of non-disclosure. This Master's Thesis discusses the conceptions and experiences foster parents have regarding the role of the obligation of non-disclosure in interaction. The study was carried out by the in-depth interviews of six foster parents during the year 2012. Before the interviews foster parents kept a small-scale interaction diary the purpose of which was to prepare foster parents for the forthcoming interviews. Transcribed interview data was analyzed and compressed into one main theme (the interest/need of the child ) and two sub themes (challenges of the obligation of non-disclosure and the means of interaction). The conceptions and experiences foster parents had on the obligation of non disclosure and the ways by which foster parents executed the obligation of non-disclosure or managed private information was presented with Communication Privacy Management Theory. Attachment Theory was also utilized in the interpretation of the conceptions and experiences of the foster parents. In this study executing the obligation of non-disclosure presented itself as an active managing of private information by the foster parents, the purpose of which was to take care of foster child's interests and needs. Foster parents strived for sensitive responsiveness in spite of the obligation of non-disclosure. Disclosure as well as non-disclosure of private information was seen as protecting the child depending on the situation. Foster parents viewed that the obligation of non-disclosure should primarily protect foster children. In the foster parent's point of view too strict interpretation of the obligation of non-disclosure had opposite effects on foster children's well-being. Most of the interviewees disclosed thoughts and feelings on fostering with their close friends or relatives because they felt they received support needed in fostering from these relationships. The interpretations that authorities have on the obligation of non-disclosure and the instructions given to the foster parents should be defined in order to insure foster parent's possibilities for executing sensitive interaction needed in taking care of foster children and their needs. The foster parent's views on the obligation of non-disclosure should be researched further. In order to receive a full picture on the phenomenon the views of the foster children and social services authorities should also be researched.