“Lived Experiences of Houseparents in a Residential Care Facility: A Phenomenological Study”

Abstract

Houseparents provide essential daily care, emotional support, and stability to children separated from families in Philippine residential care facilities. Their multifaceted role—combining parental guidance, advocacy, and trauma-informed care—directly shapes children's psychosocial development and the well-being of children in these institutional centers. While existing literature often focuses on the challenges of residential care, the internal meaning-making processes and self-determination of houseparents in the Philippine context are rarely explored. This phenomenological research explored the lived experiences of five seasoned houseparents in a Residential Care Facility in Bukidnon, Philippines, focusing on emotional labor demands, institutional support, satisfaction of psychological needs, and meaning-making processes, examined through Self-Determination Theory and Logotherapy. Purposive sampling was used, data gathered through three semi-structured interviews per participant (60-90 minutes each) guided by Seidman’s three interview protocol. The data analysis was performed through the use of Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological approach and HyperRESEARCH software, with member checking, reflexivity, and ethical compliance applied to ensure trustworthiness. The findings revealed four themes: (1)“Biological, Social, Spiritual Adaptation”, reflecting how houseparents adjust to their demanding job. (2)“Rewards Of Caregiving”, highlighting the emotional benefits and sense of purpose; (3) “Sustaining Well-being Practice”, describing coping mechanisms and institutional supports that prevent burnout; and (4) “Transformation” wherein houseparents come to see their work not merely as a job but as a ministry, where caring becomes an expression of compassion, and service to a higher purpose, often rooted in faith. Recommendations of the study include specific resiliency training, improved institutional support policies, and culturally competent interventions in order to decrease burnout and improve the quality of care.