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Parekh R, Sieger ML, Elsaesser C, Mauldin R, Champagne L. The Association Between Permanency and Length of Time in Foster Care for Children with Older Adult Foster Caregivers: Children Removed Due to Substance Use Behavior. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-023-09742-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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Caron R, Poitras K, St-Laurent D, Joly MP, Poirier MA, Berthelot N, Dubois-Comtois K. Foster family assessment: The assessor's perspective - A qualitative study. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 130:105362. [PMID: 34756505 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Children in foster care are more likely to exhibit emotional, behavioral, social, and developmental problems. Accordingly, foster families should provide them with a safe family environment that promotes their development. Therefore, to ensure that foster families adequately meet children's needs, it is crucial for youth protection services to properly assess prospective foster family applicants. However, the specific assessment methods are understudied. This study aims to capture the experiences of caseworkers and the challenges they face in assessing and selecting potential foster caregivers, as well as their needs for support to perform the assessments. Focus groups were held in child protection services agencies in the province of Québec (Canada). Three group interviews with a total of 15 caseworkers were transcribed and subjected to content analysis using NVivo 11. The caseworkers identified nine most important dimensions for assessing prospective foster families, notably motivation and engagement. Differences in the assessment process between caseworkers were observed, particularly for the type of foster family assessed. The caseworkers reported certain common needs for assessment training, primarily in interview techniques and the handling of multicultural issues. They also complained of lack of time allocated for clinical support during assessments. The results call for collaborative efforts between researchers and practitioners to provide appropriate training and tools to support the assessment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalie Caron
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
| | - Karine Poitras
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre de Recherche Universitaire sur les Jeunes et les Familles (CRUJeF), Canada.
| | - Diane St-Laurent
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre de Recherche Universitaire sur les Jeunes et les Familles (CRUJeF), Canada
| | | | | | - Nicolas Berthelot
- Département des sciences infirmières, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada
| | - Karine Dubois-Comtois
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre de Recherche, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-I'Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS NÎM), Montreal, QC, Canada
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Mousavi SF, Mikolajczak M, Roskam I. Parental burnout in Iran: Psychometric properties of the Persian (Farsi) version of the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA). New Dir Child Adolesc Dev 2020; 2020:85-100. [DOI: 10.1002/cad.20369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Moïra Mikolajczak
- Department of Psychology Psychological Sciences Research Institute UCLouvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
| | - Isabelle Roskam
- Department of Psychology Psychological Sciences Research Institute UCLouvain Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
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White L, Delaney R, Pacifici C, Nelson C, Dickinson SL, Golzarri-Arroyo L. Understanding and Parenting Children's Noncompliant Behavior: The Efficacy of an Online Training Workshop for Resource Parents. CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW 2019; 99:246-256. [PMID: 31130765 PMCID: PMC6528673 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined the effectiveness of an online training program on parenting children's noncompliant behavior. Eighty-two resource parents (foster, adoptive, and kinship) were recruited through Foster Parent College-an online training website-and randomly assigned to a treatment or wait-list control group. Parents in the treatment group participated in an online interactive workshop on noncompliant child behavior. Online assessments occurred before and after a 1-week intervention, and again 3 months later. Group differences at posttest were significant for parents' reports of children's positive behavior and parent knowledge related to children's noncompliant behavior. Only parents in the treatment group showed significant improvement from pre- to posttest on several other outcome measures of parenting noncompliant behavior. Satisfaction with the online workshop at posttest was very high. Results at the 3-month follow-up assessment showed significant group differences only for parents' knowledge about children's noncompliant behavior. Feedback on the workshop remained positive, with treatment group parents indicating that they felt the workshop had beneficially impacted their parenting and their children's behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee White
- Northwest Media, Inc., 326 West 12 Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401, United States
| | - Richard Delaney
- Northwest Media, Inc., 326 West 12 Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401, United States
| | - Caesar Pacifici
- Northwest Media, Inc., 326 West 12 Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401, United States
| | - Carol Nelson
- Northwest Media, Inc., 326 West 12 Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401, United States
| | - Stephanie L. Dickinson
- Biostatistics Consulting Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington, PH C101, 1025 East 7 Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Lilian Golzarri-Arroyo
- Biostatistics Consulting Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington, PH C101, 1025 East 7 Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
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Examining the Influence of Social Support on the Relationship Between Child Behavior Problems and Foster Parent Satisfaction and Challenges. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-018-9478-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND With the number of children being placed in the care of local authorities increasing, the need to recruit and retain foster carers is essential. Compassion fatigue is recognised as a negative effect for professionals working with adults and children who have experienced trauma. This study aims to confirm the proof of concept within foster carers and to explore the potential risks associated with intent to continue fostering, overall job satisfaction and psychological factors (avoidant coping) that could be targets for interventions. METHODS In total, 131 foster carers completed an online survey including self-report measures of compassion fatigue and associated risk factors. RESULTS Results confirm the existence of compassion fatigue among foster carers with rates in line with previous studies on other professionals working with children. High compassion fatigue was associated with lower intent to continue fostering and lower job satisfaction. Avoidant cognitive styles of psychological inflexibility and thought suppression were associated with compassion fatigue. CONCLUSION The confirmation of compassion fatigue among foster carers and the potential risks to job retention are important findings for social care. The associations with avoidant cognitive styles have clinical implications for potential interventions. Recommendations for further research and the limitations of this study are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Hannah
- 1 Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Matt Woolgar
- 1 Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.,2 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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N'zi AM, Stevens ML, Eyberg SM. Child Directed Interaction Training for young children in kinship care: A pilot study. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2016; 55:81-91. [PMID: 27012997 PMCID: PMC5012006 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This pilot study used a randomized controlled trial design to examine the feasibility and explore initial outcomes of a twice weekly, 8-session Child Directed Interaction Training (CDIT) program for children living in kinship care. Participants included 14 grandmothers and great-grandmothers with their 2- to 7-year-old children randomized either to CDIT or a waitlist control condition. Training was delivered at a local, community library with high fidelity to the training protocol. There was no attrition in either condition. After training, kinship caregivers in the CDIT condition demonstrated more positive relationships with their children during behavioral observation. The caregivers in the CDIT condition also reported clinically and statistically significant decreases in parenting stress and caregiver depression, as well as fewer externalizing child behavior problems than waitlist controls. Parent daily report measures indicated significant changes in disciplining that included greater use of limit-setting and less use of critical verbal force. Results appeared stable at 3-month follow-up. Changes in child internalizing behaviors and caregiver use of non-critical verbal force were not seen until 3-month follow-up. Results of this pilot study suggest both the feasibility of conducting full scale randomized clinical trials of CDIT in the community and the promise of this approach for providing effective parent training for kinship caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M N'zi
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, United States.
| | - Monica L Stevens
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, United States
| | - Sheila M Eyberg
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, United States
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Vanderfaeillie J, Pijnenburg H, Damen H, Van Holen F. Foster care assessment: A study of the placement decision process in Flanders. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2015; 49:119-127. [PMID: 25913381 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 03/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Family foster care placement decision-making has a weak scientific underpinning. Mostly a 'variable-oriented approach' is taken, which requires a lot of information that is not always available. The identification of clusters of foster children with similar characteristics may be a more viable decision strategy. In this study we investigated if foster children could indeed be clustered, which problems were identified at the time of placement, and the influence of placement history. It proved possible to group foster children into two clusters: (1) young children with familial problems and few behavioral problems, and (2) older children with prominent child problems and behavioral problems. For foster children with and without placement history, problems associated with placement proved identical. Considering that a foster care placement did not result in fundamental change in the problems present at time of placement, the importance is stressed of approaching foster care assessment as part of a decision making process which looks back as well as forward. Placement decisions should be based on an appraisal of the appropriateness of foster placement as a solution for the child. In conjunction with this appraisal a decision is required on how parents can be supported toward reunification. Or--if this is not an option--whether long term foster care is the best option for the child and if so, what conditions need to be met.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Vanderfaeillie
- Department of Clinical and Lifespan Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Huub Pijnenburg
- HAN University of Applied Sciences, Praktikon and Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Harm Damen
- Praktikon, Nijmegen and Pactum, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Van Holen
- Department of Clinical and Lifespan Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Pleegzorg Vlaams-Brabant en Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Cooley ME, Farineau HM, Mullis AK. Child behaviors as a moderator: Examining the relationship between foster parent supports, satisfaction, and intent to continue fostering. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2015; 45:46-56. [PMID: 26012715 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Foster parents need access to supports and resources in order to be satisfied with their caregiving role and continue providing foster care services. However, they often experience multiple demands in their role as a substitute caregiver that could lead to stress. Child behaviors especially may be a significant factor when considering sources of strain and may be a potential risk factor for negative outcomes such as dissatisfaction or the decision to discontinue providing foster care. The purpose of this study was to examine whether child disruptive behaviors moderated or influenced the nature or strength of the relationship between foster parent supports and satisfaction as a caregiver as well as intent to continue fostering. The sample consisted of 155 licensed foster caregivers from across the United States. Child behaviors served as a significant moderator between some types of supports and satisfaction. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Cooley
- Department of Social Work, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, USA
| | | | - Ann K Mullis
- Department of Family and Child Science, Florida State University, USA
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Mersky JP, Topitzes J, Janczewski CE, McNeil CB. Enhancing Foster Parent Training with Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment. JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR SOCIAL WORK AND RESEARCH 2015; 6:591-616. [PMID: 26977251 PMCID: PMC4788597 DOI: 10.1086/684123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research indicates that foster parents often do not receive sufficient training and support to help them meet the demands of caring for foster children with emotional and behavioral disturbances. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a clinically efficacious intervention for child externalizing problems, and it also has been shown to mitigate parenting stress and enhance parenting attitudes and behaviors. However, PCIT is seldom available to foster families, and it rarely has been tested under intervention conditions that are generalizable to community-based child welfare service contexts. To address this gap, PCIT was adapted and implemented in a field experiment using 2 novel approaches-group-based training and telephone consultation-both of which have the potential to be integrated into usual care. METHOD This study analyzes 129 foster-parent-child dyads who were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) waitlist control, (b) brief PCIT, and (c) extended PCIT. Self-report and observational data were gathered at multiple time points up to 14 weeks post baseline. RESULTS Findings from mixed-model, repeated measures analyses indicated that the brief and extended PCIT interventions were associated with a significant decrease in self-reported parenting stress. Results from mixed-effects generalized linear models showed that the interventions also led to significant improvements in observed indicators of positive and negative parenting. The brief course of PCIT was as efficacious as the extended PCIT intervention. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that usual training and support services can be improved upon by introducing foster parents to experiential, interactive PCIT training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P Mersky
- Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - James Topitzes
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Assessment in Kinship Foster Care: A New Tool to Evaluate the Strengths and Weaknesses. SOCIAL SCIENCES-BASEL 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci4010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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The Empirical Ties between Religious Motivation and Altruism in Foster Parents: Implications for Faith-Based Initiatives in Foster Care and Adoption. RELIGIONS 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/rel5030720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Tibu F, Humphreys KL, Fox NA, Nelson CA, Zeanah CH. Psychopathology in young children in two types of foster care following institutional rearing. Infant Ment Health J 2014; 35:123-31. [PMID: 25798518 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Institutional rearing of young children has been demonstrated to increase risk for a broad range of psychiatric disorders and other impairments. This has led many countries to consider or to invest in foster care. However, no study to date has explored potential differences in psychiatric symptoms in children placed in different types of foster care. We assessed internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 54-month-old children living with foster families. We compared one group of children living in high-quality foster families who had benefited from specialized training and support to another group of children placed with government-sponsored foster care in Bucharest, Romania. After controlling for duration of time spent in foster care, there was a main group effect in predicting ADHD (p = .021) and a marginal group × gender interaction effect. No effects were noted for signs of externalizing disorders. There was, however, a significant group × gender interaction effect of signs of internalizing disorders (p = .007), with the girls in high-quality foster care having less severe symptomatology than did their counterparts in the government-sponsored group. Governments must invest in quality interventions for their most vulnerable citizens to prevent serious and potentially lasting problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florin Tibu
- Institute of Child Development, Bucharest, Romania
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Spielfogel JE, Leathers SJ, Christian E, McMeel LS. Parent Management Training, Relationships with Agency Staff, and Child Mental Health: Urban Foster Parents' Perspectives. CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW 2011; 33:2366-2374. [PMID: 22125353 PMCID: PMC3224045 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
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Riggs DW, Augoustinos M, Delfabbro PH. Role of foster family belonging in recovery from child maltreatment. AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGIST 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/00050060903147075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Martha Augoustinos
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Strijker J, Knorth EJ. Factors associated with the adjustment of foster children in the Netherlands. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY 2009; 79:421-429. [PMID: 19839679 DOI: 10.1037/a0016598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Information obtained from 419 case files was used to investigate the associations between the foster child's adjustment to the foster family and factors in the histories of the child and the parents, as well as factors in the relationship between foster children and their biological parents while they are placed in foster care. Problems in the foster child's prior history, particularly attachment disorders and the experience of replacements, affect the extent of adjustment to the foster family. In-home visits by the child and the absence of parental permission to stay with the foster family are two factors related to the parent-child relationship that impeded adjustment. In general, parental problem factors did not affect adjustment. The fact that many foster children come from problem-laden backgrounds raises the question of whether foster parents are always sufficiently equipped to cope with these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Strijker
- Department of Special Education and Child Rearing, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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The effects of early social-emotional and relationship experience on the development of young orphanage children. The St. Petersburg-USA Orphanage Research Team. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev 2009. [PMID: 19121007 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540–5834.2008.00483.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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REFERENCES. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5834.2008.00495.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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The effects of early social-emotional and relationship experience on the development of young orphanage children. The St. Petersburg-USA Orphanage Research Team. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev 2008; 73:vii-viii, 1-262, 294-5. [PMID: 19121007 PMCID: PMC2702123 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5834.2008.00483.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Leon SC, Ragsdale B, Miller SA, Spacarelli S. Trauma resilience among youth in substitute care demonstrating sexual behavior problems. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2008; 32:67-81. [PMID: 18096228 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2005] [Revised: 03/26/2007] [Accepted: 04/18/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the relationship between several proposed protective factors and trauma symptoms among highly vulnerable youth in the child welfare system. METHODS Participants were 142 youth identified with a sexual behavior problem and their caregivers. Two waves of data were collected for each participant an average of 18 months apart. Foster parents reported on perceived level of support from the child welfare agency, youth involvement in club activities, and perception of youths' interpersonal and emotional competence. Youth provided self-reports of their sexual and physical abuse experiences, trauma symptoms at both time 1 and time 2, and ratings of parenting practices. RESULTS Youth with higher rates of sexual abuse showed more negative affect and higher levels of sexual and non-sexual rumination at time 2, controlling for time 1 scores. Boys and youth who experienced better parenting practices displayed lower negative affect. Youth with higher levels of emotional and interpersonal competence showed lower levels of non-sexual rumination. Moderation analyses revealed that youth with more significant sexual abuse histories whose foster parents did not feel supported by their child welfare caseworkers had higher levels of sexually ruminative thoughts. Finally, the results revealed that only youth without sexual abuse histories experienced the benefits of club involvement in terms of lower sexual rumination scores. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that youth with significant vulnerabilities can still exhibit a degree of protection from trauma symptomatology in the presence of a wide range of personal and social variables. These findings support the efforts of stakeholders to promote strengths at the level of the individual, family, and broader social network and community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott C Leon
- Loyola University Chicago, Department of Psychology, 6525 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626, USA
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Cole SA, Eamon MK. Predictors of depressive symptoms among foster caregivers. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2007; 31:295-310. [PMID: 17442391 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2005] [Revised: 05/02/2006] [Accepted: 06/21/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main purposes of this study were to determine (1) the prevalence of depressive symptoms among foster caregivers, (2) the social-demographics, risk factors, and social support predicting depressive symptoms, and (3) whether social support buffered the effects of the risk factors in the Illinois Foster Caregivers Study. METHOD Telephone interviews were used to collect data from a sample of 189 foster caregivers in the State of Illinois. Interviewers pretested the survey instrument, which included valid and reliable instruments on depressive symptoms and adult report of childhood maltreatment, an important risk factor for depression. Multivariate ordered logistic regression models were estimated. RESULTS The foster caregivers exhibited few depressive symptoms, with only one respondent scoring in the clinical range. Contrary to past research on the general population, caregivers reporting higher income were at an increased risk of exhibiting depressive symptoms. The three risk factors-experiencing less than excellent or very good health, childhood maltreatment, and insufficient time to carry out responsibilities-were related to higher levels of depressive symptoms. Foster caregivers who perceived their support group as helpful had a decreased risk of reporting depressive symptoms. We found no evidence that social support buffered the effects of the risk factors. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that foster caregivers were adequately screened for depression, but suggest that assessing and providing assistance for health problems, trauma from childhood maltreatment, and insufficient time to meet responsibilities might decrease depressive symptoms. Facilitating and enhancing the helpfulness of foster caregiver support groups also might decrease development of depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan A Cole
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Oregon Street, Urban, IL 61801, USA
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Rodger S, Cummings A, Leschied AW. Who is caring for our most vulnerable children? The motivation to foster in child welfare. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2006; 30:1129-42. [PMID: 17014907 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2004] [Revised: 03/03/2006] [Accepted: 04/09/2006] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Responding to the need for more foster families to provide care for increasing numbers of children coming into care, this study was designed to understand the motivations and needs of foster parents in order to improve recruitment and retention. To meet this goal, the study identified characteristics of current foster families, performed a factor analysis on the Foster Parent Satisfaction Survey (FPSS) (Denby, R. W., Rindfleisch, N., & Bean, G. 1999). Predictors of foster parent's satisfaction and intent to continue to foster were identified, and the results were used to differentiate between foster parents who did and did not consider quitting fostering. METHOD A sample of 652 foster parents completed a survey of 139 items including the Foster Parent Satisfaction Survey [Denby, R. W., Rindfleisch, N., & Bean, G. (1999). Predictors of foster parent's satisfaction and intent to continue to foster. Child Abuse & Neglect, 23, 287-303]. RESULTS Foster parents were motivated by wanting to be loving parents to children and saving children from harm. The factor analysis of the FPSS resulted in five factors that were consistent with typical scoring methods of the instrument. A discriminant function analysis using these factors and whether parents had considered quitting fostering revealed that one factor, Challenging Aspects of Fostering, correctly classified 75.5% of parents. CONCLUSIONS Foster parents' satisfaction is related to their perceptions about teamwork, communication, and confidence in relation to both the child welfare agency and its professionals. Further, the most frequently endorsed reasons for fostering reflected foster parents' altruistic and internal motivations to foster. Negative relationships with professional staff from the child welfare agency were linked to considering quitting fostering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Rodger
- Faculty of Education, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ont., Canada
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Szabo CP, Ritchken DA. Race and Family Placement: A Case Report and Review. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2002. [DOI: 10.1177/008124630203200408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transracial placement (adoption/fostering) is a contentious issue. A case is presented and issues related to placement of a transracial and informal nature are addressed. Caution should be exercised regarding the ascribing of problems within the context of a transracial placement to racial factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P. Szabo
- Adolescent and Eating Disorders unit, Tara, The H. Moross Centre Private Bag X7, Randburg, 2125, South Africa
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Heller SS, Smyke AT, Boris NW. Very young foster children and foster families: Clinical challenges and interventions. Infant Ment Health J 2002. [DOI: 10.1002/imhj.10033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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