Processes Used by Staff of Children Protection Institution to Develop Relations with Abused Children

Abstract

Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 11 staff members of children protection institution, with the aim of identifying processes used by staff to develop relationships with children who have been abused. Interview data were analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach. The category "driving force to develop relationships" emerged from 'uneasiness concerning relationships', and included the subcategories, 'interpretation of the child's behavior', 'view of occupation of the staff member' and 'influence of other staff members'. In the category of staff members' "confidence in relationships", there was a shift from 'uneasiness concerning relationships' to 'conviction that the child will respond'. Influenced by the "driving force to develop relationships", the category "development of relationships" involved a shift from 'understanding the child' to 'relationship with the child based on principled policy'. This resulted in staff members' 'conviction that the child will respond'. These findings suggest that it is necessary to coordinate the "driving force to develop relationships" in cases where there is uneasiness regarding relationships with children.