A Systematic Review on Foster Parents’ Psychological Adjustment and Parenting Style—An Evaluation of Foster Parents and Foster Children Variables

Elisa Mancinelli, Gaia Dell’Arciprete and Silvia Salcuni
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Elisa Mancinelli: Department of Socialization and Developmental Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35121 Padova, Italy
Gaia Dell’Arciprete: Department of Socialization and Developmental Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35121 Padova, Italy
Silvia Salcuni: Department of Socialization and Developmental Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35121 Padova, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-25

Abstract: The current systematic review aimed to evaluate the variables influencing foster parents’ parenting stress, distress and parenting style, thereby supporting their adjustment and well-being as well as that of foster children. A PRISMA-guided search was conducted in three databases. Observational studies examining parenting stress, parenting distress (subsuming anxiety, depression and stress symptoms) and parenting style—all assessed through validated tools—were considered. A total of 16 studies were included, comprising N = 1794 non-relative foster parents (age range = 30–67 years). Results showed heightened parenting stress over time, both overall and compared to parents at large. Neither foster parents’ nor foster children’s socio-demographic characteristics significantly contributed to the increase in parenting stress; yet child-related stress and children’s externalizing problems were its main predictors. Foster parents’ couple cooperation was associated with reduced parenting stress. Moreover, the authoritative parenting style was associated with parental warmth, while the authoritarian style was associated with foster parents’ greater perceived burden, greater criticism and rejection toward the foster child. Evidence supports the mutual influence between foster parents and children. Foster care services should support foster parents’ needs within a concentric modular system, to ultimately provide better care for both foster parents and children.

Keywords: non-relative foster parents; parenting stress; parental distress; parenting style; foster children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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