[Beliefs of foster parents regarding the children in their care and their natural parents].

This exploratory research has been conducted with the objective of identifying the beliefs of foster parents towards children in their care and their natural families. Results show that foster parents have a number of beliefs that can harm the optimal exercise of their mandate. The major issues raised concern their initial motivation, their perceptions of the children's needs, their educational strategies, the nuances regarding usual parental role and their positions regarding the natural parents of foster children. This research constitutes a foundation for more adaptative interventions with regards to the context of placement, especially for the development of support and education services for foster parents.