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Journals / Sosyal Politika Çalışmaları Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 26 Sayı: 72

Well-Being Through the Eyes of Children in Residential Care: Supportive Everyday Experiences

Kuruluş Bakımındaki Çocukların Gözünden İyi Oluş: Destekleyici Gündelik Deneyimler

Ayşe Kavak(Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı)0009-0001-3070-8945
Türkan Doğan(HACETTEPE ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-9811-5591
Pages
745–776
Publication Date
2026-09-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicated that children understood well-being as a multidimensional, relational, and contextual experience involving feeling valued and safe; experiencing a sense of belonging; having voice and choice in everyday life; engaging in meaningful activities; and looking to the future with hope.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examined how children in residential care understand well-being and how they perceive the everyday relationships, conditions, and practices that support it.
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Key Findings & Data:Participants were 30 children aged 13-18 living in different residential care settings in Ankara, Türkiye.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicated that children understood well-being as a multidimensional, relational, and contextual experience involving feeling valued and safe; experiencing a sense of belonging; having voice and choice in everyday life; engaging in meaningful activities; and looking to the future with hope.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Çocuk katılımı · İyi oluş · Koruma ve bakım altındaki çocuklar

Abstract

This study examined how children in residential care understand well-being and how they perceive the everyday relationships, conditions, and practices that support it. Participants were 30 children aged 13-18 living in different residential care settings in Ankara, Türkiye. Data were collected through five focus group discussions. The detailed notes produced during and immediately after the discussions were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Six themes were developed: being recognised as a person and treated with respect; feeling a sense of belonging and safety through relational continuity; exercising voice and choice within rules; making everyday life liveable and meaningful; maintaining family connections; and being supported to learn, hope, and build one’s future. The findings indicated that children understood well-being as a multidimensional, relational, and contextual experience involving feeling valued and safe; experiencing a sense of belonging; having voice and choice in everyday life; engaging in meaningful activities; and looking to the future with hope. The findings highlight the importance of child participation, relational continuity, individualised practices, preparation for the future, and access to post-care support in promoting the well-being of children in residential care.

Özet

Bu araştırma, kuruluş bakımında bulunan çocukların iyi oluşu nasıl anlamlandırdıklarını ve gündelik yaşamlarında iyi oluşlarını destekleyen ilişkileri, koşulları ve uygulamaları kendi bakış açılarından incelemeyi amaçlamıştır. Nitel araştırma yaklaşımıyla yürütülen çalışmaya Ankara’daki farklı kuruluş bakım modellerinde yaşayan 13-18 yaş aralığındaki 30 çocuk katılmıştır. Veriler beş odak grup görüşmesiyle toplanmıştır. Görüşmeler sırasında ve hemen sonrasında oluşturulan ayrıntılı görüşme notları refleksif tematik analiz yaklaşımıyla çözümlenmiştir. Analiz sonucunda altı tema geliştirilmiştir: birey olarak tanınmak ve saygı görmek; süreklilik taşıyan ilişkilerde ait ve güvende hissetmek; kurallar içinde söz ve seçim sahibi olmak; gündelik yaşamı yaşanabilir ve anlamlı kılmak; aileyle bağı sürdürmek; öğrenmek, umut etmek ve geleceğini kurarken desteklenmek. Bulgular, çocukların iyi oluşunun kendilerini değerli, ait ve güvende hissetmelerini, gündelik yaşamları üzerinde söz ve seçim sahibi olmalarını, anlamlı etkinliklere katılmalarını ve geleceğe umutla bakabilmelerini içeren çok boyutlu, ilişkisel ve bağlamsal bir deneyim olduğunu göstermiştir. Sonuçlar, iyi oluşun desteklenmesinde çocuk katılımının, süreklilik taşıyan ilişkilerin, bireyselleştirilmiş uygulamaların ve geleceğe hazırlanma ile bakım sonrası destek olanaklarının önemine işaret etmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Kavak, A., Doğan, T. (2026). Well-Being Through the Eyes of Children in Residential Care: Supportive Everyday Experiences. Sosyal Politika Çalışmaları Dergisi, Cilt: 26 Sayı: 72, 745–776. https://doi.org/10.21560/spcd.vi.2010105

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