Caregiver strain among biological, foster, and adoptive caregivers caring for youth receiving outpatient care in a public mental health system

Kya Fawley-King, Emily V. Trask, John Ferrand and Gregory A. Aarons

Children and Youth Services Review, 2020, vol. 111, issue C

Abstract: Caregivers of children with mental health disorders often report high levels of stress. Although children in the child welfare system have high rates of mental health problems, to date, little is known about the stress experienced by foster and adoptive caregivers. The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in both internalized (e.g., worry and guilt) and externalized (e.g., anger and resentment) caregiver strain among biological, foster and adoptive caregivers, and assess the degree to which characteristics of the caregivers and the children in their care impact strain. Caregivers of youth under age 18 who were receiving treatment in a publically-funded mental health system completed the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CSQ), along with the Youth Services Survey for Families (YSSF) which has questions about the youth’s functioning and the mental health care he or she is receiving. A total of 1828 caregivers returned surveys that were eligible for analyses. Generalized Estimating Equations were used examine associations between caregiver type and internalized and externalized strain while controlling for caregiver demographics and social support, and youth demographics, functioning, and time in treatment.

Keywords: Caregiver strain; Parenting stress; Child welfare; Foster care; Adoption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:111:y:2020:i:c:s0190740919311855

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104874

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