Peer-reviewed article
Motivated by identity: A social identity analysis of why people become foster carers.
Phelan K, O'Donnell AT, Jay S, Madden LOB ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This peer-reviewed study explores why adults become foster carers using a social identity framework. Through interviews with 11 foster carers, researchers found that fostering decisions are shaped by existing role identities (such as parenting), collective altruistic values, and social influences from role models. The study applies social identity theory to understand motivations for foster care rather than examining outcomes for children in foster care.
Key points
- Fostering aligns with pre-existing identities like parental and caregiving roles, providing continuity during life transitions
- Altruistic motivations are expressed within a collective framework rather than purely individual desire to help
- Role models and normative social practices influence decisions to become foster carers
- Study uses Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC) framework, the first application to foster care motivation
Limitations
This study examines motivations of foster carers themselves rather than measuring outcomes or well-being of children in foster care. The small sample size (n=11) and lack of comparison groups limits generalisability of findings about what drives fostering decisions.
Abstract
Understanding why individuals are motivated to take on new identities, particularly why people choose to become foster carers, is critical to addressing persistent shortages in foster care systems. Despite policy consensus that foster care is the preferred alternative when children cannot remain with birth families, shortages persist across many countries. Research has traditionally emphasised individualistic motivations, such as altruism, neglecting broader social and identity-based factors. This study applies a Social Identity Approach, drawing on the Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC), to explore how social identities shape motivation to foster during life change. Semi-structured interviews with foster carers (n = 11) were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified. First, fostering aligned with pre-existing role identities, particularly parental and caregiving roles, allowing participants to maintain continuity and purpose during life transitions such as "empty nest" or infertility. Second, altruistic motivations were expressed within a collective framework, with participants perceiving themselves capable of providing support to children and families. Third, fostering was influenced by role models and normative practices, framing it as a shared, socially endorsed activity. Findings demonstrate fostering motivations are a dynamic identity process shaped by continuity, gain, and extension of valued social identities, offering the first application of SIMIC to identity-related motivations.