Exploring the Emotional Experiences of Foster Carers Using the Photovoice Technique

Abstract

Despite the wealth of literature on foster care, limited attention has been given to investigating the subjective, everyday experiences of the carers themselves. Lauren Pickin, Vivienne Brunsden and Rowena Hill report on research into the emotional experiences of foster carers using the photovoice method as reconfigured for psychological research (Brunsden and Goatcher, 2007). The resultant visual and verbal data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (Smith and Osborn, 2003). Five super-ordinate themes emerged: ‘Angry frustration’, ‘Promoting security and well-being’, ‘An ambiguous life’, ‘The impact of the children’ and ‘Coping?’. The research provides a greater understanding of the emotional needs of foster carers and has practical implications in terms of provision for their support.