Should I stay or should I go? A mixed methods study examining the factors influencing foster parents' decisions to continue or discontinue providing foster care

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.05.003

Children and Youth Services Review

Volume 35, Issue 9, September 2013, Pages 1356-1365

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.05.003 Get rights and content

Highlights

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Mixed methods design with foster parents regarding intentions to continue fostering
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Levels of satisfaction and locus of control influenced parents' decisions to stay.
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Difficulty with the system and family change were reasons for discontinuing fostering.
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Findings have implications for foster family recruitment and retention.

Abstract

The recent economic recession has resulted in dramatic cuts to child welfare programs and services. Licensed foster homes represent an essential component of the child welfare system as these families provide for the care and safety of children during times when their own families are not able to do so. Despite the important role foster parents serve, little attention has been given to understand what impacts their decision about whether to continue fostering. This is especially important when considering the context of recent economic stressors on families and on the systems on which families rely. The purpose of this study was to understand what factors impact a parent's likelihood of continuing fostering. To accomplish this objective, a mixed methods concurrent triangulation design was conducted by sending an online survey to foster parents in one state located in the southwest. Findings based on this sample of 649 foster parents suggest foster families' intentions to continue fostering are positively impacted by their own intrinsic rewards and motivations, satisfaction with fostering, locus of control, and level of emotional and practical supports. Reduction in reimbursement rates, decreases in the amount of quality services available for foster children and for foster families, difficulty navigating the system, and individual-level family changes were cited as reasons foster parents would consider discontinuing fostering. Open-ended responses offer increased understanding about how these factors are perceived by respondents to impact their ability to continue to provide for our nation's most vulnerable children.

Introduction

Almost half (48%) of the 400,540 children in the foster care system reside in non-relative foster family homes (Administration of Children, Youth, and Families, 2012). Child welfare agencies across the United States have cut the amount of funding allocated for foster care payments, programs, and services in response to the recent economic recession (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2007). Despite the reduction in resources to support foster families, the demand for licensed foster homes continues to grow as the number of children entering care is now greater than the number leaving (Administration of Children, Youth, and Families, 2012). Although there are concerns about how shrinking resources may be impacting foster care, parents' intentions about whether to continue fostering remain unclear. Other factors related and unrelated to program and funding cuts are also important in explaining a foster family's decision to continue or discontinue fostering, such as fostering satisfaction, feelings of control over decision making in fostering, tension or difficulty in the family, and factors related to the family makeup.

Despite the important role foster families serve in the child welfare system, foster parents are typically not consulted about their level of satisfaction during their tenure as foster parents. In addition, few studies have been conducted with foster families in the last decade, leaving many questions about how potential foster parent levels of satisfaction and motivations may change as a result of the impact of current social and financial climates. The purpose of the current study was to examine the experiences of foster care providers as it relates to retention and fostering satisfaction. This research question was considered within the context of a financial recession that impacts funding for services that support foster families and increased stress that these families may themselves be experiencing.

Section snippets

Foster parent satisfaction

Several studies in the 1980s and 1990s identified factors that affect whether families decide to continue or discontinue fostering. Baring-Gould, Essick, Kelinkauf, and Miller (1983) identified life events or changes within the foster family and lack of service provision as primary reasons for foster home closure in Alaska. Other studies suggested enhanced services and economic support improved retention rates of foster families (Campbell and Whitelaw Downs, 1987, Chamberlain et al., 1992).

Study design

This study used a mixed methods concurrent triangulation design (Creswell, 2003) to (a) examine factors related to foster parents' decision to continue or discontinue fostering, (b) explore foster parents' perceptions about why they choose to continue or discontinue fostering, and (c) understand what might change their mind if they are choosing to discontinue. Through this design, quantitative measures were triangulated with open ended comments allowing for greater understanding regarding the

Description of sample

A total of 649 foster parents completed the online survey, which represents approximately 17% of the licensed foster parent population in the state. The average age of the survey participants was 44 years old and 80% of the respondents were White/Caucasian. Of the primary parents who responded, 9.2% were Latino/a, 6.1% were African American, and 2.8% identified as multiracial. African American and Latino or Hispanic families were underrepresented and Caucasian families were overrepresented in

Discussion and implications

This study explored factors that impact a parent's likelihood of continuing fostering. The themes reflect foster parents' perspectives on what motivates them to continue fostering, such as their own intrinsic rewards and motivations, satisfaction with fostering, locus of control, and emotional and practical support, while also offering important practical and policy implications.

The findings from this study are consistent with previous research, which suggests that locus of control and social

Future directions

This study provides an in-depth analysis of factors related to foster parents' satisfaction and decision to continue or discontinue fostering, in light of the recent economic downturn. Although the sample was specific to the southwest United States, previous literature in other areas of the country and in other countries suggests similar concerns identified with other groups of foster parents who have previously been studied. These recurrent themes of support, locus of control, and systemic

Acknowledgment

This research was conducted in collaboration with the statewide public child welfare system and two non-profit organizations that serve foster families. The authors would like to thank Kris Jacober, the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and the Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents for their input and collaboration with this project.

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Analyzing qualitative data

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^☆: Jennifer Mullins Geiger, MSW, doctoral candidate; Megan J. Hayes, MSW, doctoral student; Cynthia A. Lietz, PhD, LCSW, associate professor, School of Social Work, Arizona State University.

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Should I stay or should I go? A mixed methods study examining the factors influencing foster parents' decisions to continue or discontinue providing foster care☆

Highlights

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Foster parent satisfaction

Study design

Description of sample

Discussion and implications

Future directions

Acknowledgment

Children and Youth Services Review

Children and Youth Services Review

Child Abuse & Neglect

Children and Youth Services Review

Children and Youth Services Review

Children and Youth Services Review

Child Abuse & Neglect

Children and Youth Services Review

Children and Youth Services Review

The AFCARS report

Why do foster homes close?

Arete

Perceptions of long-term female foster carers: I'm not a carer. I'm a mother

British Journal of Social Work

Foster parents' perceptions of factors needed for successful foster placements

Journal of Child and Family Studies

Foster parents' perceptions of factors that promote or inhibit successful fostering

Qualitative Social Work

The potential for successful family foster care: Conceptualizing competency domains for foster parents

Child Welfare

The impact of economic incentives on foster parents

The Social Service Review

A phenomenological study of foster caregivers' experiences of formal and informal support

Illinois Child Welfare

New Medicaid rules would limit care for children in foster care and people with disabilities in ways congress did not intend

Enhanced services and stipends for foster parents: Effects on retention rates and outcomes for children

Child Welfare

Analyzing qualitative data