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Exploration of factors associated with secondary traumatic stress in foster parents

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  • Whitt-Woosley, Adrienne
  • Sprang, Ginny
  • Eslinger, Jessica

Abstract

The role of caring for traumatized individuals has been widely recognized as having inherent risks for secondary exposure to trauma and associated distress. Child welfare work in particular has been found to be an occupation where indirect exposure to trauma is especially prevalent as are related experiences of secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout (Bride, Jones, & Macmaster, 2007; Nelson-Gardell & Harris, 2003). Given that rates of trauma exposure for children in foster care range from 80 to 93 percent and repeated or chronic exposures are common, it is assumed that foster parents are also at significant risk for STS (Lipschitz, Winegar, Hartnick, Foote, & Southwick, 1999; Stein et al., 2001; U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, 2013). As child welfare and foster care systems move toward implementation of trauma informed care, the potential for secondary traumatic stress (STS) in foster parents should be examined yet there has been minimal research in this area to date. This study analyzes the STS experiences of foster parents from one state’s child welfare system (N = 1213). Descriptive analysis of their experiences as well as an examination of factors associated with the development of STS was conducted and confirmed the significance of STS this sample of foster parents. Hierarchical regression analyses of risk and beneficial factor models accounted for 23.2 and 46.5 percent of the variance in STS symptoms respectively. Implications and strategies for foster care systems regarding points of prevention and intervention based on this research are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Whitt-Woosley, Adrienne & Sprang, Ginny & Eslinger, Jessica, 2020. "Exploration of factors associated with secondary traumatic stress in foster parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:118:y:2020:i:c:s0190740920306423
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105361
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Farmer, Elizabeth M.Z. & Lippold, Melissa A., 2016. "The need to do it all: Exploring the ways in which treatment foster parents enact their complex role," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 91-99.
    2. Gibbs, Deborah & Wildfire, Judith, 2007. "Length of service for foster parents: Using administrative data to understand retention," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 588-599, May.
    3. Spielfogel, Jill E. & Leathers, Sonya J. & Christian, Errick & McMeel, Lorri S., 2011. "Parent management training, relationships with agency staff, and child mental health: Urban foster parents' perspectives," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(11), pages 2366-2374.
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    1. Riggs, Damien W., 2021. "Experiences of vicarious trauma among Australian foster parents providing long-term care to non-indigenous children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    2. St. Jean, Spencer & Murphy, Ashley & Wright, Kendra & Law, Clara & Risser, Heather J., 2024. "Understanding the needs of foster parents of youth with special health care needs: Perceptions, barriers, and recommendations," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Findley, Erin & Praetorius, Regina T., 2023. "Points of foster parent stress in the system: A qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    4. McLaren, Helen & Patmisari, Emi & Jones, Michelle, 2024. "Professional quality of life of Australian Mockingbird FamilyTM foster carers: Compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).

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