Socioemotional needs of minors released from parental authority from the perspective of their caregivers
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Published
2025-12-30
Sylvia Martínez Mejías
Juliana Seda Raffucci
Corina Delfino Blanco
Emmanuel Peña Serrano
Keiliany Rivera Santiago
Patricia Aponte Rosa
Viviana Rosado De Medeiros
Gabriela Soto Ríos
David Pérez Jiménez
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9142-106X
Abstract
The purpose of our study was to identify the socioemotional needs of children released from parental custody in Puerto Rico from the perspective of their caregivers. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 35 caregivers of minors aged 6 to 15 who were part of the Adoption Unit of the Department of the Family in 2020. The findings revealed that foster youth face significant socioemotional challenges related to previous experiences of abuse, neglect, and multiple changes in placement. Caregivers identified difficulties in emotional regulation, externalizing behaviors, and emotional deprivation. Additionally, they reported challenges in managing these behaviors due to a lack of information about the minors’ life histories and insufficient training. We highlight the critical role of caregivers in the foster youth’s socioemotional development and the need to foster stability and secure attachments. Our findings emphasize the importance of providing minors with a stable placement, consistent psychological services, and specialized training for caregivers. This study underscores the need to consider trauma experiences and each child’s unique context when designing interventions aimed at strengthening attachment, promoting emotional security, and supporting the socioemotional well-being of children and adolescents in foster and adoption settings.
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Keywords
socioemotional needs, children released from parental custody, caregivers, trauma, attachment bonds
References
Bakermans‐Kranenburg, M. J., Steele, H., Zeanah, C. H., Muhamedrahimov, R. J., Vorria, P., Dobrova‐Krol, N. A., Steele, M., van IJzendoorn, M. H., Juffer, F., & Gunnar, M. R. (2011). Attachment and emotional development in institutional care: Characteristics and catch up. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 76(4), 62-91. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.2011.00628.x
Bettmann, J. E., Mortensen, J. M., Akuoko, K. O., & Tatum, C. A. (2016). Orphanage staff's perceptions of children's psychosocial needs. Children & Society, 31(1), 37-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12164
Bos, K., Zeanah, C. H., Fox, N. A., Drury, S. S., McLaughlin, K. A., & Nelson, C. A. (2011). Psychiatric outcomes in young children with a history of institutionalization. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 19(1), 15-24. https://doi.org/10.3109/10673229.2011.549773
Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Clinical applications of attachment theory. Routledge.
Bowlby, J. (1952). Maternal care and mental health. A report prepared on behalf of the World Health Organization as a contribution to the United Nations programme for the welfare of homeless children, 2nd ed. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/40724
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development. Harvard University Press.
Cassidy, J. (1994). Emotion regulation: Influences of attachment relationships. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 59(2-3), 228-249. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.1994.tb01287.x
Child Welfare League of America. (2024). Puerto Rico’s children. CWLA.
https://www.cwla.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PuertoRico-2024.pdf
Crittenden, P. M., Robson, K., Tooby, A., & Fleming, C. (2017). Are mothers’ protective attachment strategies related to their children’s strategies? Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 22(3), 358-377. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104517704027
Crittenden, P. M. (1992). Quality of attachment in the preschool years. Development and
Psychopathology, 4(2), 209-241. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579400000110
Crittenden, P. M. (2000). A dynamic-maturational exploration of the meaning of security and adaptation. Empirical, cultural and theoretical considerations. In P. M. Crittenden, & A. H. Claussen (Eds.), The organization of attachment relationships: Maturation, culture, and context (pp. 358–383). Cambridge University Press.
Delfino, C. M. (2022). Vínculos afectivos entre un grupo de menores y cuidadoras en el contexto de cuidado institucional en Puerto Rico (Publication No. 29324842) [Disertación doctoral, Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Río Piedras]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://repositorio.upr.edu/handle/11721/3063
Dozier, M., Zeanah, C. H., Wallin, A. R., & Shauffer, C. (2012). Institutional care for young children: Review of literature and policy implications. Social Issues and Policy Review, 6(1), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-2409.2011.01033.x
Engler, A. M., Sarpong, K. O., Van Horne, B. S., Greeley, C. S., & Keefe, R. J. (2020). A systematic review of mental health disorders of children in foster care. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 23(1), 255-264. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838020941197
Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Validity and reliability (credibility and
dependability) in qualitative research and data analysis. In Applied thematic analysis (pp. 79-106). Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436
Howe, D. (2005). Child abuse and neglect: Attachment, development and intervention. Palgrave Macmillan.
Kaur, R., Vinnakota, A., Panigrahi, S., & Manasa, R. V. (2018). A descriptive study on behavioral and emotional problems in orphans and other vulnerable children staying in institutional homes. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 40(2), 161-168. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_316_17
Martínez-Usarralde, M. J., Conchell, R., Villar, M., & Pérez-Tabernero, L. (2025). The need for better attachment bonds between institutional caregivers and children in residential care: A systematic review. Behavioral Sciences, 15(3), 245. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030245
McCall, R. B. (2013). Review: The consequences of early institutionalization: Can institutions be improved? - Should they? Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 18(4), 193-201. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12025
McCoy, M. L. & Keen, S. M. (2022). Child abuse and neglect (3rd ed.) Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429356353
Mertens, D. M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Richardson, E. W., Grogan, C. S., Richardson S. L. L., & Small, S. L. (2018). Displacement, caregiving, and the ecological system of youth in foster care: A theoretical perspective. Journal of Family Social Work, 21(4-5), 348-364. https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2018.1469561
Rosado-De Medeiros, V. L. (2024). El vínculo fraternal en contextos de cuidado sustituto (Publication No. 31299795) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico] ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database.
Silva Ceriani, G. (2024). La inseparabilidad de los hermanos en adopción: Una interpretación desde la evidencia en trauma complejo y la institucionalización. Revista del Instituto de Estudios Judiciales (IEJ), 9, 61-77.
SocioCultural Research Consultants, LLC. (2020). Dedoose (Version 8.1) [Computer software]. https://www.dedoose.com
Stefanović-Stanojević, T., Tošić-Radev, M., & Velikić, D. (2015). Maternal Attachment and Children's Emotional and Cognitive Competences. Psychological Topics, 24(1), 51-69. http://hrcak.srce.hr/138410
Streicher, A., Haselgruber, A., Sölva, K., & Lueger-Schuster, B. (2023). Co-development of traumatic stress symptoms and externalising behaviour problems among foster children and the effect of complex trauma: A latent growth curve model. BMJ Open, 13(8), e067860. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067860
Sulasmi, E. (2020). The development strategy of human resources management in Children’s Social Welfare Institution (LKSA) (case study in LKSA AL-Mubaraak Orphanage Bengkulu). Budapest International Research and Critics Institute Journal, 3(1), 562-569.
van der Voort, A., Juffer, F., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J. (2014). Sensitive parenting is the foundation for secure attachment relationships and positive social-emotional development of children. Journal of Children's Services, 9(2), 165-176.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-12-2013-0038
van IJzendoorn, M. H., Palacios, J., Sonuga‐Barke, E. J., Gunnar, M. R., Vorria, P., McCall, R. B., LeMare, L., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., Dobrova-Krol, N. A., & Juffer, I. F. (2011). Children in institutional care: Delayed development and resilience. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 76(4), 8-30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.2011.00626.x
West, D., Van Holen, F., Verheyden, C., Gypen, L., & Vanderfaeillie, J. (2022). Attachment of
young foster children. Developmental Child Welfare, 4(4), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/25161032221129287
Wilcox, D. T. & Baim, C. (2016). Applications of the dynamic‐maturational model of attachment with children involved in care and family proceedings. Child Abuse Review, 25(4), 287-299. https://doi.org/10.1002/car.2380
Bettmann, J. E., Mortensen, J. M., Akuoko, K. O., & Tatum, C. A. (2016). Orphanage staff's perceptions of children's psychosocial needs. Children & Society, 31(1), 37-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12164
Bos, K., Zeanah, C. H., Fox, N. A., Drury, S. S., McLaughlin, K. A., & Nelson, C. A. (2011). Psychiatric outcomes in young children with a history of institutionalization. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 19(1), 15-24. https://doi.org/10.3109/10673229.2011.549773
Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Clinical applications of attachment theory. Routledge.
Bowlby, J. (1952). Maternal care and mental health. A report prepared on behalf of the World Health Organization as a contribution to the United Nations programme for the welfare of homeless children, 2nd ed. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/40724
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development. Harvard University Press.
Cassidy, J. (1994). Emotion regulation: Influences of attachment relationships. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 59(2-3), 228-249. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.1994.tb01287.x
Child Welfare League of America. (2024). Puerto Rico’s children. CWLA.
https://www.cwla.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PuertoRico-2024.pdf
Crittenden, P. M., Robson, K., Tooby, A., & Fleming, C. (2017). Are mothers’ protective attachment strategies related to their children’s strategies? Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 22(3), 358-377. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104517704027
Crittenden, P. M. (1992). Quality of attachment in the preschool years. Development and
Psychopathology, 4(2), 209-241. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579400000110
Crittenden, P. M. (2000). A dynamic-maturational exploration of the meaning of security and adaptation. Empirical, cultural and theoretical considerations. In P. M. Crittenden, & A. H. Claussen (Eds.), The organization of attachment relationships: Maturation, culture, and context (pp. 358–383). Cambridge University Press.
Delfino, C. M. (2022). Vínculos afectivos entre un grupo de menores y cuidadoras en el contexto de cuidado institucional en Puerto Rico (Publication No. 29324842) [Disertación doctoral, Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Río Piedras]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://repositorio.upr.edu/handle/11721/3063
Dozier, M., Zeanah, C. H., Wallin, A. R., & Shauffer, C. (2012). Institutional care for young children: Review of literature and policy implications. Social Issues and Policy Review, 6(1), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-2409.2011.01033.x
Engler, A. M., Sarpong, K. O., Van Horne, B. S., Greeley, C. S., & Keefe, R. J. (2020). A systematic review of mental health disorders of children in foster care. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 23(1), 255-264. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838020941197
Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Validity and reliability (credibility and
dependability) in qualitative research and data analysis. In Applied thematic analysis (pp. 79-106). Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436
Howe, D. (2005). Child abuse and neglect: Attachment, development and intervention. Palgrave Macmillan.
Kaur, R., Vinnakota, A., Panigrahi, S., & Manasa, R. V. (2018). A descriptive study on behavioral and emotional problems in orphans and other vulnerable children staying in institutional homes. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 40(2), 161-168. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_316_17
Martínez-Usarralde, M. J., Conchell, R., Villar, M., & Pérez-Tabernero, L. (2025). The need for better attachment bonds between institutional caregivers and children in residential care: A systematic review. Behavioral Sciences, 15(3), 245. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030245
McCall, R. B. (2013). Review: The consequences of early institutionalization: Can institutions be improved? - Should they? Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 18(4), 193-201. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12025
McCoy, M. L. & Keen, S. M. (2022). Child abuse and neglect (3rd ed.) Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429356353
Mertens, D. M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Richardson, E. W., Grogan, C. S., Richardson S. L. L., & Small, S. L. (2018). Displacement, caregiving, and the ecological system of youth in foster care: A theoretical perspective. Journal of Family Social Work, 21(4-5), 348-364. https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2018.1469561
Rosado-De Medeiros, V. L. (2024). El vínculo fraternal en contextos de cuidado sustituto (Publication No. 31299795) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico] ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database.
Silva Ceriani, G. (2024). La inseparabilidad de los hermanos en adopción: Una interpretación desde la evidencia en trauma complejo y la institucionalización. Revista del Instituto de Estudios Judiciales (IEJ), 9, 61-77.
SocioCultural Research Consultants, LLC. (2020). Dedoose (Version 8.1) [Computer software]. https://www.dedoose.com
Stefanović-Stanojević, T., Tošić-Radev, M., & Velikić, D. (2015). Maternal Attachment and Children's Emotional and Cognitive Competences. Psychological Topics, 24(1), 51-69. http://hrcak.srce.hr/138410
Streicher, A., Haselgruber, A., Sölva, K., & Lueger-Schuster, B. (2023). Co-development of traumatic stress symptoms and externalising behaviour problems among foster children and the effect of complex trauma: A latent growth curve model. BMJ Open, 13(8), e067860. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067860
Sulasmi, E. (2020). The development strategy of human resources management in Children’s Social Welfare Institution (LKSA) (case study in LKSA AL-Mubaraak Orphanage Bengkulu). Budapest International Research and Critics Institute Journal, 3(1), 562-569.
van der Voort, A., Juffer, F., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J. (2014). Sensitive parenting is the foundation for secure attachment relationships and positive social-emotional development of children. Journal of Children's Services, 9(2), 165-176.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-12-2013-0038
van IJzendoorn, M. H., Palacios, J., Sonuga‐Barke, E. J., Gunnar, M. R., Vorria, P., McCall, R. B., LeMare, L., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., Dobrova-Krol, N. A., & Juffer, I. F. (2011). Children in institutional care: Delayed development and resilience. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 76(4), 8-30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5834.2011.00626.x
West, D., Van Holen, F., Verheyden, C., Gypen, L., & Vanderfaeillie, J. (2022). Attachment of
young foster children. Developmental Child Welfare, 4(4), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/25161032221129287
Wilcox, D. T. & Baim, C. (2016). Applications of the dynamic‐maturational model of attachment with children involved in care and family proceedings. Child Abuse Review, 25(4), 287-299. https://doi.org/10.1002/car.2380
How to Cite
Socioemotional needs of minors released from parental authority from the perspective of their caregivers. (2025). Puerto Rican Journal of Psychology, 36(3), 366-382. https://doi.org/10.55611/reps.3603.03
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Artículo de investigación
Si se acepta un trabajo para su publicación, los derechos de impresión y de reproducción por cualquier forma y medio son de la Asociación de Psicología de Puerto Rico (APPR), que no rechazará cualquier petición razonable por parte de los autores para obtener el permiso de reproducción de sus contribuciones. Debe adjuntarse una carta tipo de cesión de derechos. Se entiende que las opiniones expresadas en los artículos son de responsabilidad exclusiva de los autores y no comprometen la opinión y política científica de la Revista ni de la APPR. Igualmente, las actividades descritas en los trabajos publicados estarán de acuerdo con los criterios de ética, tanto por lo que se refiere a los trabajos con humanos como a la experimentación animal, así como en todo lo relativo a la ética profesional.
How to Cite
Socioemotional needs of minors released from parental authority from the perspective of their caregivers. (2025). Puerto Rican Journal of Psychology, 36(3), 366-382. https://doi.org/10.55611/reps.3603.03