Date of Award
2002
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Foster parents in nontraditional foster care programs receive more extensive, ongoing training and support than foster parents in traditional foster care programs. This study examined whether differences exist in the levels of perceived parenting stress, satisfaction, and efficacy among traditional and nontraditional foster parents. Twenty-four foster parents completed the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) and the Parenting Sense of Competence scale (PSOC). Nontraditional foster parents reported higher levels of overall parenting stress and lower levels of foster parent role satisfaction than did traditional foster parents. However, response profiles indicated that nontraditional foster parents had children with more emotional and behavioral problems than traditional foster parents, which likely impacted stress and satisfaction scores. Qualitative information regarding foster parent perceptions was collected through phone interviews with 12 participants. Traditional foster parents reported low levels of agency satisfaction and frustration with inadequate support, while nontraditional foster parents reported satisfaction with type and amount of support and training. Implications of the findings and recommendations for nontraditional foster care communities, traditional foster care programs, and foster care professionals are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Baranzelli-Yoder, Angela M., "Traditional And Nontraditional Foster Parenting" (2002). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1109.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1109