A Systematic Review on Foster Parents’ Psychological Adjustment and Parenting Style—An Evaluation of Foster Parents and Foster Children Variables

Abstract

The current systematic review aimed to evaluate the variables influencing foster parents’ parenting stress, distress and parenting style, thereby supporting their adjustment and well-being as well as that of foster children. A PRISMA-guided search was conducted in three databases. Observational studies examining parenting stress, parenting distress (subsuming anxiety, depression and stress symptoms) and parenting style—all assessed through validated tools—were considered. A total of 16 studies were included, comprising N = 1794 non-relative foster parents (age range = 30–67 years). Results showed heightened parenting stress over time, both overall and compared to parents at large. Neither foster parents’ nor foster children’s socio-demographic characteristics significantly contributed to the increase in parenting stress; yet child-related stress and children’s externalizing problems were its main predictors. Foster parents’ couple cooperation was associated with reduced parenting stress. Moreover, the authoritative parenting style was associated with parental warmth, while the authoritarian style was associated with foster parents’ greater perceived burden, greater criticism and rejection toward the foster child. Evidence supports the mutual influence between foster parents and children. Foster care services should support foster parents’ needs within a concentric modular system, to ultimately provide better care for both foster parents and children.

Foster caregivers' depressive symptoms and parenting stress: Applying the theory of resilience and relational load

“…Thus, consistent with prior research on foster caregiver couples (e.g., Richardson et al, 2020), our findings suggest supporting foster caregivers through individual and couple-focused interventions may be helpful in reducing the negative experiences of foster caregivers within the system and leading to lower turnover. These results and suggestions are in alignment with Mancinelli et al's (2021) call for more trainings that support foster caregivers' psychosocial adjustment and relational quality in response to foster caregivers' distress and stress. They suggest a multilevel approach, wherein caregivers are trained in couple-related interpersonal strategies (e.g., relational maintenance behaviors) as well as individual-level resilience strategies and resources beyond the couple.…”

“…Second, findings from this research can contribute to the development of specific trainings and to the promotion of preventative interventions-both of which are needed for foster couples. Results from a recent systematic review emphasize the need to train and support foster caregivers' psychosocial well-being (Mancinelli et al, 2021), yet trainings that specifically target the couple and coparenting relationship of foster caregivers are lacking (Richardson et al, 2018). Thus, preliminary research identifying specific and practical ways to improve foster caregivers' well-being is needed to inform intervention development for this population.…”

“…Foster caregivers experience heightened levels of stress due to contextual and family factors (Bergsund et al, 2020), potentially amplifying depressive symptoms and parenting stress—both of which have been found to negatively affect the quality of care that foster caregivers can provide (Cole & Eamon, 2007). That said, although being a foster caregiver can negatively impact individuals' physical and mental well‐being (Mancinelli et al, 2021), married foster couples experience lower levels of stress compared with unmarried foster caregivers (e.g., separated, widowed, divorced; Miller et al, 2020); this is especially true for those who are able to be supportive of and cooperate with one another in their foster caregiving role (Richardson & Futris, 2019; Richardson et al, 2020). Thus, identifying known relational strategies that could benefit foster caregivers' relationship quality is needed to increase their emotional experiences in relation to their role and to reduce the resultant stress they experience in relation to their caregiving demands.…”

“…The current research addresses this gap through an analysis of self-report data from two-parent foster couples in the areas of interpersonal dynamics and intrapersonal well-being-both of which are foundational in providing a positive foster home environment (e.g., Buehler et al, 2006). Specifically, this study examines the extent to which partners experience lower parenting distress (i.e., parents' unpleasant emotional experience, which often includes symptoms of depression; Mancinelli et al, 2021) and parenting stress (i.e., the perceived discrepancy between parenting demands and available resources; Mancinelli et al, 2021) by making frequent investments in their relationship (via relationship maintenance behaviors) and engaging in more constructive conflict management. In doing so, we evaluate theoretically informed associations among interpersonal relational behaviors that may make foster caregivers more resilient when managing stress and conflict.…”

Foster Caregiving and Child Outcomes in relative and non-relative Foster families

“…support that behavioral parent training or skills-based training and support for foster caregivers and children demonstrating subthreshold to moderate behavioral challenges report reduced foster parent stress and improved child behavior. Parenting and positive relationships with youth are particularly important for promoting adaptive development of children in foster care, and research supports that there is a bidirectional or mutual influence between child and foster parent well-being (Chodura et al, 2021;Mancinelli et al, 2021). However, there are also limitations in the quality and scope of training, with a particular gap in how foster parents are prepared during preservice training to care for the mental health needs of children (Cooley et al, 2019).…”