MATERNAL SENSITIVITY IN THE CONTEXT OF CHILD PLACEMENT: ASSOCIATIONS WITH FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND MATERNAL CHARACTERISTICS
The aim of this exploratory study is to explore associations between family reunification, maternal characteristics, and sensitivity and to compare reunified mothers and non-reunified mothers on maternal characteristics and sensitivity. Results show no significant difference between reunified mother-child dyads and non-reunified mother-child dyads on maternal sensitivity. Links between maternal sensitivity, mother’s age at childbirth and sexual abuse are significant. This study supports reflections related to the parenting behaviors of mothers whose children are placed in foster care and the best practices aimed the sensitivity of these mothers.