“Being, Like, Their Parents Throughout Their Lifetime”—House Parents' Perceptions of Their Role in the Family-Style Group Care

Abstract

Based on the concepts in Katz and Kahn's role theory model this qualitative research examines the role perception and experience of house parents in the family-style group care, a type of out-of-home placement model for at-risk children who cannot reside with their birth families. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 18 house parents (both men and women) to gain insights into their role perception and experience. The findings revolved around three central themes: motivation for choosing the role (search for meaning, previous exposure to the role and childhood experiences); role perception (parental and administrative); and experiencing the role, in terms of positive and negative emotions. The theoretical significance of this research lies in understanding the unique role perception of house parents, distinct from the corporate world. In comprehending the role of house parents, its nature and its impact on the well-being of individuals in this role, social workers can improve house parent training and contribute to the mental well-being of children growing up in these settings.