Life story work with looked after and adopted children: how professional training and experience determine perceptions of its value
Researchers asked 29 people from professional and service-user backgrounds to rank 57 statements about life story work. Their views formed three groups: a supportive coherent narrative, ongoing child-led work rooted in current relationships, and an adaptable record of the child’s history. All groups prioritised helping children express and manage feelings arising during the work.
Limitations: This Q-methodology study maps viewpoints, not their prevalence or treatment effectiveness. Adoption and looked-after contexts are combined. The abstract does not identify how many participants were adoptees, so service-user participation is not treated as confirmed adoptee testimony; regional coverage is not specified. Publication relationship: this research was published by BAAF or in its Adoption & Fostering journal, now associated with CoramBAAF, an adoption-sector organisation. Publication does not establish that the organisation conducted the research; readers may take the institutional relationship into account.
- Research type
- Q-methodology study
- Source reviewed
- Abstract
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Age group
- Mixed
Study context and review
Age group as recorded: mixed
Adoption context: Adoption and care combined
Programme: Not recorded
Institutional context: Adoption-sector advocacy/service organisation
Publication relationship: this research was published by BAAF or in its Adoption & Fostering journal, now associated with CoramBAAF, an adoption-sector organisation. Publication does not establish that the organisation conducted the research; readers may take the institutional relationship into account.
Relationship identified. Bibliographic relationships are not a bias or safety rating.
Topics: identity, life story work, participation, professional perspectives, research methodology, therapy
Review scope: Source checked: Abstract. This does not imply full-text or independent human verification.
Country as recorded: United Kingdom (regional coverage not specified in abstract)
- Funding
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Commissioner
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Funder role
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Declared conflicts
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Recruitment
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Adoptee involvement
- Not yet checked for this entry
Entry: study_9a332dccc7fc93f0