Effects of the KEEP Foster Parent Intervention on Child and Sibling Behavior Problems and Parental Stress During a Randomized Implementation Trial

Externalizing behavior problems are a salient issue in the context of child protection services, where associations with placement stability and caregiving behavior have been documented. Moreover, although research on the association between contact with biological parents and foster child externalizing behavior problems is scarce and has yielded mixed results, several studies have shown links between the two variables. The purpose of this study is to determine the association of face-to-face contact with biological parents and externalized behaviors, while taking into account placement instability and foster parent interactive sensitivity. Fifty preschoolers and their foster parents were visited at home. Child externalizing behavior problems were self-reported by foster parents, foster parent sensitivity was measured via play observations, and information relative to placement was collected through interviews with biological parents and gathered from social services data. Results reveal that more frequent contact with biological parents and lower levels of foster parent sensitivity are independently linked to greater levels of externalizing behavior problems even after controlling for placement instability. Discussion focuses on the importance of children’s relationship experiences during foster care and the necessity to investigate their role to more clearly understand foster child socioemotional development.

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Filial Therapy: Effects on Two Children's Behavior and Mothers' Stress

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1999.84.2.587 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 84 (2) ◽

pp. 587-590 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michelle Schicke Athanasiou ◽

Michael P. Gunning

Keyword(s):

Behavior Problems ◽

Parenting Stress ◽

Parental Stress ◽

Filial Therapy ◽

Stress Index ◽

Children's Behavior ◽

Therapy Effectiveness ◽

Child Centered ◽

And Behavior ◽

Child Centered Play Therapy

Due to parents' continual and natural contact with their children, as well as shortages of professionals, parents are increasingly being asked to play a significant role in treatment for the children's emotional and behavior problems. Filial therapy is a treatment that involves parents by teaching parents to conduct child-centered play therapy sessions with their children. The current study sought to examine filial therapy effectiveness by measuring changes in children's behavior and parental stress in parenting. Mothers of two preschool children were administered the Behavior Assessment for Children and the Parenting Stress Index prior to, following completion of, and 2 mo. after participating in a 10-wk. filial therapy training program. Results suggest significant decreases in externalizing behaviors and decreased parenting stress for one parent of the two children. Informal parental reports of changes suggest that parents saw improved relationships with their children, their own confidence increased, generalization of skills, and improvements with regard to behavior problems.

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Evaluation of Parent and Child Enhancement (PACE) Program

Research on Social Work Practice ◽

10.1177/1049731515578882 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 19-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Cynthia Leung ◽

Sandra Tsang ◽

Cyrus Lo

Keyword(s):

Behavior Problems ◽

Child Behavior ◽

Low Income ◽

Parental Stress ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Child Behavior Problems ◽

Control Group ◽

Child Preschool ◽

Child Learning

Objective: This study examined the efficacy of the Parent and Child Enhancement (PACE) program on child learning, child behavior problems, and parental stress, using randomized controlled trial design, in social services centers. Methods: Eligibility criteria were (1) children aged 2 years at program commencement, (2) low-income, new immigrant, or single-parent families, and (3) parent–child dyads being Hong Kong residents. Intervention group dyads were offered the PACE program (40 two-hour sessions on child learning and parenting). Primary outcomes included child preschool concepts, child behavior problems, and parental stress. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (76 dyads) and control group (73 dyads) using a random number table, without blinding. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis with 149 dyads indicated improvement in child preschool concepts, decrease in child behavior problems and parental stress in the intervention group, compared with the control group ( d = 0.12–0.73). Conclusions: The results provided evidence for the efficacy of the PACE program.

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