Abstract
Adoption & Fostering abstracts are selected by
Adoption and fostering
CAPLOVITZ BARRETT Karen, POLLY-ALMANZA Abby Audrey and ORSI Rebecca
The challenges and resources of adoptive and long-term foster parents of children with trauma histories: A mixed methods study
Adoption Quarterly 24(4): 277–303. First published online, 22 September 2021. doi.org/10.1080/10926755.2021.1976335
Adoption can be an important protective factor for foster children; however, if adoptive parents are not adequately prepared to deal with trauma-based difficulties, such children remain at risk for negative outcomes. The present study used mixed methods to access the lived experiences of parents adopting children from foster care. Results indicated that adopted children’s behavioural difficulties strongly contributed to parental stress. However, number of resources did not moderate the relation between child behaviour problems and parenting stress, and parents reported that some ‘resources’ promoted stress. Results have important implications for interventions with such parents.
HERBSTER Julia M and OCASIO Kerrie
The complex relationship between sibling contact and child and family well-being in foster care: An exploration of child and family functioning in a pre-permanency cohort
Children and Youth Services Review 131, December 2021. Available online, 23 September 2021. doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106257
US policy promotes sibling visitation when siblings cannot be placed in foster care homes together; however, when siblings are placed separately, many do not receive visits and there is little research examining the impact of separation and visitation. This study examined child and family well-being for (1) siblings who were not in placement together but had visits; (2) siblings who are not in placement together and do not have visits; and (3) children who are not split from their siblings or have no siblings, using pre-service referral and assessment data of children and caregivers (n = 259) from a clinical pre-adoption programme. Multivariate analysis indicated that sibling visits, increased parenting stress, increased child behavioural problems and older age of children were all negatively related to parent ratings of child integration into the family (i.e. sense of belonging). Although more research is needed, these findings suggest that when co-placement is not available, special attention should be given to sibling visitation and the possible conflicts of loyalty that can arise and interfere with supportive integration into the foster home.
LEATHERS Sonia J, VANDE VOORT Beth L and MELKA-KAFFER Catherine
Mental health services and psychotropic medications provided to children at risk for placement instability in foster care
Developmental Child Welfare 3(3): 256–281. First published, 22 September. doi.org/10.1177/25161032211034255
This descriptive study sought to identify the types of mental health services and psychotropic medications provided to children with a risk for moves, foster parents’ perceptions of their adequacy, consistency of therapy services with evidence-based models, and racial and gender differences in service provision. Foster parents completed telephone surveys for a randomly selected sample of 144 children aged 8–14 in specialised or traditional family foster care with a history of placement moves or hospitalisations in a large state in the USA. Over two-thirds of children were reported to have mental health diagnoses, most often ADHD (52%). Most children with a diagnosis received psychotherapy (75%) and psychotropic medications (90%). The majority did not receive additional services. A quarter received therapy supporting the use of behavioural interventions in foster homes, with 40% of foster parents reporting this was inadequate. Additionally, half reported inadequate initial training. No racial differences in services were reported. However, girls were more likely to receive therapy described as trauma-focused than boys (30.9% and 5.6%, respectively); more boys received treatment for anger (17%) and psychotropic medication (60%). Findings indicate that children at risk for multiple moves receive a high level of services, but questions are raised about the content and adequacy of these. Evidence-based psychosocial interventions are needed to support positive outcomes and potentially reduce psychotropic medication use.
WAID Jeffrey, KOTHARI Brianne H, DAHLGREN Jessica A, et al.
Exploring mechanisms of change in a dyadic relationship intervention for siblings in foster care
Child & Family Social Work 26(4): 507–517. First published, 22 February 2021. doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12833
There is increasing recognition of the potential for sibling relationships to promote the well-being of youth in out-of-home care. Efficacious interventions now exist to strengthen the sibling relationships for youth in out-of-home care, yet the processes through which these interventions work remain largely speculative. This study aimed to identify the critical components of an efficacious dyadic relationship enhancement intervention for siblings in foster care through a secondary analysis of fidelity of implementation and trial outcome data. Data for 168 youth from the treatment condition of the Supporting Siblings in Foster Care study were analysed. Fidelity of implementation was assessed across seven intervention domains: Sibs 4 Life, Positive/Sib Thinking, Activity Planning, Problem Solving, Co-operation, Managing Feelings and Adult Allies. Trial outcome data were drawn from efficacy test results and included a multi-agent construct of sibling relationship quality. Descriptive statistics detailed intervention implementation and hierarchical linear models examined associations between intervention coverage, comprehension and engagement, and 18-month improvements to the sibling relationship. Results indicate high fidelity to implementation, and Positive/Sib Thinking was the primary intervention domain associated with sibling relationship improvements. Considerations for future mechanisms-based intervention research with siblings in out-of-home care are provided.
Other
CLAPTON Gary
Thoughts on files
Qualitative Social Work 20(6): 1461–1476. First published, 21 October 2021. doi.org/10.1177/14733250211039511
With the benefit of an anthropological attention to the importance of ‘things’ and the relations between ourselves and things (‘artefacts’), this article gives attention to the social work file. Despite the rise of electronic recording, social work archives remain full of thousands of files that are increasingly accessed, especially by those who have been in care, and physical file-keeping remains a regular feature of practice. There is already a body of literature relating to the information in social work files; however, this article shifts the focus from this to the nature and role of the file itself. ‘Hidden in plain sight’ but laden with meaning and capacity, it identifies the little we know already about the file. The various ways in which files and their authors and subject can interact are explored together with the file’s symbolic properties and the power held by the file’s owner, and the ability of the file to ‘other’ its subject. While we understand that the practice shapes the file, how might the file shape practice?
JONES Eleri
Brexit: The road ahead for family proceedings
Family Law, September 2021.
This article summarises the key implications of Brexit in relation to children’s proceedings. The article explains the correct approach to take depending on whether the ‘new’ or ‘old’ regime applies and the effect of the Withdrawal Agreement in respect of jurisdiction, competing proceedings and recognition and enforcement. Jones explains some of the important differences between the old Brussels IIa regime and the new system under the 1996 Hague Convention. She highlights areas where there is uncertainty and where questions arise concerning the interpretation and application of the Withdrawal Agreement and the 1996 Hague Convention and points to look out for in new cases going forwards. The article looks at the implications of the conceptual change from a system of perpetuatio fori under Brussels IIa to one where jurisdiction is lost when habitual residence changes, even mid-proceedings and associated considerations within the 1996 Hague Convention. The article also notes changes for practitioners to be aware of including the loss of a free-standing ability to agree jurisdiction, the potential increased relevance of the applicable law provisions and the differences in the approach to recognition and enforcement of orders. Jones stresses the need for forward thinking and taking advice in other countries involved.
KIRALY Meredith and KERTESZ Margaret
‘It's good because my sister is young, and she knows what's going on’: Children's views about their young kinship carers
Child & Family Social Work 26(4): 592–600. First published, 30 March 2021. doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12841
Much literature about kinship care has focused on the issues facing grandparent carers. An Australian research project explored the experience and support needs of young kinship carers and children in their care through analysis of census data and in-depth interviews with young kinship carers and children/young people. This article describes the views of 16 young people. These young people expressed satisfaction with their home life and spoke of improvement over time in their well-being, mental health and schooling. While they appreciated their carers’ attunement to the world of young people, they articulated many challenges for themselves and their carers, including the burden on carers, the challenge of adjusting to their carers’ parental role and financial pressures. They wanted greater access to counselling and casework services in order to deal with the impacts of family trauma.
PACE Cecilia P, MUZI Stefania, MADERA Francesco, et al.
Can the family drawing be a useful tool for assessing attachment representations in children? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Attachment & Human Development. First published online, 2 November 2021. doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2021.1991664
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the quality and validity of Family Drawings (FD) with an Attachment-Based Coding System in assessing attachment representations among pre-school and school-age children. A literature search in notable databases identified 645 records, of which 20 were eligible after screening and quality assessment. Results showed: (1) ABCD attachment distribution in community children was 48% secure, 20% avoidant, 21% ambivalent, 11% disorganised. Security prevailed both in classifications and Fury, et al. scales. (2) No significant differences according to the cultural background; (3) At-risk/clinical children showed higher insecurity than community ones using scales; (4) Girls were more secure than boys. In conclusion, FD may be a culture-fair method to assess attachment representations in children. Global scales seem more reliable than ABCD classifications for discriminating at-risk and clinical children, but further studies on these groups are needed.