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Pilot randomized controlled trial of foster parent training: A mixed-methods evaluation of parent and child outcomes

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  • Conn, Anne-Marie
  • Szilagyi, Moira A.
  • Alpert-Gillis, Linda
  • Webster-Stratton, Carolyn
  • Manly, Jody Todd
  • Goldstein, Nicolas
  • Jee, Sandra H.

Abstract

Many foster parents are challenged by the social-emotional consequences of children in foster care who have experienced childhood trauma. In this project, we provided foster parents with a trauma-informed, evidence-based parenting program (Incredible Years; IY) and assessed its impact on child behavior, foster parent stress and attitudes, and perceived effect on parenting. Foster parents of children aged 2–7 yrs. were randomly assigned to IY intervention or control groups. We assessed pre-post child behavior, parenting stress, and parental attitudes. A subset of intervention foster parents completed post-intervention focus groups and in-depth interviews. Main themes from qualitative data (3 focus groups; 5 interviews; total n = 12) revealed that IY foster parents perceived changes in their parenting that they attributed to the peer support, new perspectives on the value of play, and specific tools that enhanced parenting skills. These parenting skills improved family relations and were sustained over time. Quantitative data, however, did not as strongly support program effectiveness. Between the IY (n = 16) and control (n = 17) groups, foster parents were less likely to perceive their foster child in need of mental health treatment (p = 0.002), and changed their perception of their child's role in the family (p = 0.03). No between group differences were found for measures of child behavior or parent stress. Overall, these results suggest that trauma-informed IY for foster parents may provide unique peer support and increased confidence needed to implement strategies that can improve intra-family relations. Further research is needed to verify whether and how these relations are improved.

Suggested Citation

  • Conn, Anne-Marie & Szilagyi, Moira A. & Alpert-Gillis, Linda & Webster-Stratton, Carolyn & Manly, Jody Todd & Goldstein, Nicolas & Jee, Sandra H., 2018. "Pilot randomized controlled trial of foster parent training: A mixed-methods evaluation of parent and child outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 188-197.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:89:y:2018:i:c:p:188-197
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.04.035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Conn, Anne-Marie & Szilagyi, Moira A. & Jee, Sandra H. & Blumkin, Aaron K. & Szilagyi, Peter G., 2015. "Mental health outcomes among child welfare investigated children: In-home versus out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 106-111.
    2. Puddy, Richard W. & Jackson, Yo, 2003. "The Development of Parenting Skills in Foster Parent Training," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(12), pages 987-1013, December.
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    1. Anna Price & Siân de Bell & Naomi Shaw & Alison Bethel & Rob Anderson & Jo Thompson Coon, 2022. "What is the volume, diversity and nature of recent, robust evidence for the use of peer support in health and social care? An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), September.
    2. Lotty, Maria & Bantry-White, Eleanor & Dunn-Galvin, Audrey, 2020. "The experiences of foster carers and facilitators of Fostering Connections: The Trauma-informed Foster Care Program: A process study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    3. Jeanne Gubbels & Claudia E. van der Put & Mark Assink, 2019. "The Effectiveness of Parent Training Programs for Child Maltreatment and Their Components: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-31, July.
    4. Nina T. Dalgaard & Trine Filges & Bjørn C. A. Viinholt & Maiken Pontoppidan, 2022. "Parenting interventions to support parent/child attachment and psychosocial adjustment in foster and adoptive parents and children: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(1), March.
    5. Miller, J. Jay & Koh, Eun & Niu, Chunling & Bode, Molly & Moody, Shannon, 2019. "Examining child trauma knowledge among kin caregivers: Implications for practice, policy, and research," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 112-118.

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