Themes

Sub-themes

Theme 1:

Participants experienced positive and negative dimensions in their relationships with their housemothers and other staff members in the facilities.

Positive relationship

・ Mutual respect and good communication.

・ Love, support and care.

・ Participation in everyday life decisions.

Negative relationship

・ Being uncomfortable.

・ Loneliness and sadness.

Theme 2:

Children experienced provision of their basic needs as an important factor in the caring dimension.

Provision of basic needs

・ Education needs.

・ Material needs (Food, clothing and shelter).

・ Health needs.

・ Protection needs.

Theme 3:

The children expressed different meanings to their cultural identity.

Cultural identity

・ Family background.

・ Language.

・ Religion.

Theme 4:

The children expressed uncertainty of the future as one of their experiences in the residential care facilities.

Preparation for leaving the care.

Previous negative experiences.