Evaluation of a behavioural training program for foster parents

Objectives Evaluation of a behavioural training program for foster parents caring for young foster children with externalizing problem behaviour. Method A RCT was conducted: using restricted randomization (minimization), 63... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives
Evaluation of a behavioural training program for foster parents caring for young foster children with externalizing problem behaviour.

Method
A RCT was conducted: using restricted randomization (minimization), 63 out of 77 eligible foster parents of foster children (ages 3 – 12) with externalizing problem behaviour were assigned to an intervention group (n = 30) and a treatment as usual control group (n = 33).
The intervention group received a foster parent intervention based on the social-interactional model, including ten home-sessions (see: Vanschoonlandt, Vanderfaeillie, & Van Holen, 2012).
Foster mothers filled out a questionnaire prior to the start of the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and at follow-up three months later.
Measures regarding behavioural problems (Child Behavior Checklist/6-18, Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) in the foster child, and parenting stress (Nijmeegse Vragenlijst voor de Opvoedingssituatie, Wels & Robbroeckx, 1996) and parenting practices (Ghent Parental Behaviour Scale, Van Leeuwen & Vermulst, 2004) in the foster mother were assessed.
Intention-to-treat and analysis of covariance were used to analyse outcomes.

Results

Regarding foster children’s problem behaviour (PB), although not significant, small positive trends favouring the intervention group were reported at treatment completion (internalizing PB: d = .45; externalizing PB: d = .26; total PB d = .45), increasing to large significant effects at follow-up (internalizing PB: p < .001, d = .88; externalizing PB: p = .003, d = .84; total PB: p < .001, d = 1.08). Furthermore, a significant decrease in parenting stress with medium effect size was found at both treatment completion (p = .03, d = .54) and at follow-up (p = .02, d = .72). Regarding parenting practices, a significant increase in positive parenting (with medium effect size) favouring the intervention group both at treatment completion (p = .02, d = .53) and at follow-up (p = .04, d = .46) were found. A significant decrease in harsh punishment (with medium effect size) in the intervention group after treatment completion (p = .03, d = .54), decreased to a non-significant positive trend at follow-up (d = .46).

Conclusions
The intervention showed to be very promising, leading to a reduction of foster children’s behavioural problems and foster parents’ parenting stress and to an increase in effective parenting behaviour.

References

Achenbach, T. M., & Rescorla, L. A. (2001). Manual for the Aseba school-age forms & profiles: child behaviour checklist for ages 6-18. Burlington: ASEBA.
Van Leeuwen, K. G., & Vermulst, A. A. (2004). Some psychometric properties of the Ghent parental behavior scale. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 20, 283–298.
Vanschoonlandt, F., Vanderfaeillie, J., & Van Holen, F. (2012). Development of an intervention for foster parents of young foster children with externalizing behavior: Theoretical basis and program description. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 15/4, 330-344.
Wels, P. M. A., & Robbroeckx, L. M. H. (1996). Nijmeegse vragenlijst voor de opvoedingssituatie: Handleiding. Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger.