This study is being conducted within the scope of the National Research Program 76 (NRP 76): “Welfare and Coercion – Past, Present and Future”, as part of the project “Differential Aging Trajectories In High-Risk Individuals With Past Experiences of Early Adversity” (Principal Investigators: PD Dr. Myriam V. Thoma and Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Maercker). The study is being co-ordinated by Study Lead Dr. Shauna L. Rohner.

In Switzerland up until 1981, children and adolescents were affected by compulsory social measures and placements (CSMP), including Verdingung, foster care, farm work, and care institutions. In understanding the impact of such welfare placements, it is essential to include the care-givers (e.g., foster families, institution staff) who were actively involved in these welfare practices, an aspect that has previously been neglected in this research area. These caregivers played a major role in shaping the caregiving environment of the individuals in their care, and thus can be considered an external influence on their development. Caregivers can play an important role in welfare settings by fostering a positive and resilience-building environment. In addition, care-givers can identify risk and protective factors and provide unique insights into the resilience aspects of welfare practices, which may not be apparent to the persons affected by CSMP. The caregiver perspective is also necessary in order to increase understanding of how positive outcomes can be fostered in future welfare settings.

The “Voice of Carers” study therefore aims to give a voice to the individuals involved in the care of persons affected by CSMP; and to explore their experiences providing a caregiving environment, and techniques they used to promote the development of individuals in their care. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with older adults who were former caregivers of individuals affected by CSMP in Switzerland up until 1981. This study can provide new insights into the experience of CSMP during childhood and/or adolescence and its consequences in later in life, including the potential for positive outcomes. It may help to identify risk and protective factors important for consideration in future care-giving environments.

Contact: Shauna Rohner, PhD, shauna.rohner@uzh.ch