Przemyslaw Gasiorek
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań – PhD completed
Activity theory is useful to diagnose conflicts between different activities of all participants of foster care: child, biological family, foster family and professional care. The basic problem is connection between activities of different subjects in one activity (“leading activity”) and one poly-subject. The object of “leading activity” is child’s and parents’ well-being and self-efficacy.
The family-centered approach seems to be a useful therapeutic method to change participants’ activities. It is defined as an innovative approach to planning, delivering, and evaluating care to children and adolescents grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations between social care professionals and families. It is based on Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological theory (development in “context”: child – family – services) and contention that the well-being and development of a child is influenced by parents’ psychological development and well-being. The family-centered approach enhances parent well-being, which in turn influences child well-being.