2013 Volume 13 Pages 35-45
In recent years, child foster care institutions in Japan have begun to show an interest in life story work (LSW). Although the need for LSW has been recognized, not much progress has been made in implementing this therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors or conditions required for LSW in order to promote LSW for children in residential foster care institutions. A questionnaire survey was the chosen method of research. A questionnaire was mailed to staff of child foster care institutions and Child Guidance Centers throughout Japan. The results suggested that there was strong agreement that ideally, children need the “opportunity to face their past.” However, in reality, the level of implementation varied depending upon the “ability of the staff implementing LSW and a supportive institutional environment,” and the “development of an implementation system.” The results also suggested that implementing LSW had the impact of promoting “positive change and effect on children and their supporters.”
