Foster parents for persons with mental retardation in Israel: motivation, role perception and their view of the foster person

Examines what motivates Israeli mothers to become foster parents for persons with mental retardation, & whether they see their role as parental or nonparental. Questionnaires from 130 such foster mothers reveal that their child-related motivation was positively associated with their view of the foster person's advancement in terms of level of functioning. Foster mothers who viewed their role as parental reported a higher quality of contact with their foster children. Findings are interpreted with respect to policy & practice. 4 Tables, 16 References. Adapted from the source document.