Foster mothers: are they unique?

Abstract

117 foster mothers and 60 women who had children but were not foster mothers responded to Holland's Vocational Preference Inventory. Data were analyzed by age cohorts of under 41 and 41 yr. and over to determine whether foster mothers differed from non-foster mothers and if younger foster mothers differed from older ones in personality. Foster mothers scored significantly higher than non-foster mothers on the social scale and lower on the enterprising scale. The younger cohort of foster mothers differed from older ones by attaining higher scores on the realistic, social, enterprising and artistic scales. Such high scores reflect personality characteristics highly appropriate for substitute parents. These characteristics also suggest that younger foster mothers take a more assertive approach in this role which may be helpful in making necessary changes in the foster care system.