Poster #46 - Examining unobserved heterogeneity in foster parents’ parenting support-seeking behaviors

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Abstract

Background: Parenting support-seeking behaviors among foster parents play a crucial role in enhancing the care and well-being of children placed in foster care. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the diverse ways in which foster parents seek support as well as the factors that may influence these behaviors. This study aims to (1) identify patterns of parenting support-seeking behaviors among foster parents and (2) examine sociodemographic correlates of parenting support-seeking behavior patterns. Learnings from this study may assist policymakers and administrators in the effective allocation of resources and the provision of differentiated services, thereby ensuring that support is directed towards underserved foster parents to enhance the care and well-being of children in foster care.

Methods: We used latent class analysis and a sample of 837 caregivers who participated in the “Illinois Birth through Three” (IB3) waiver demonstration project, which examined whether parenting programs reduce trauma symptoms, increase permanency, reduce re-entry, and improve the well-being of children up to three years of age who are placed in foster care. Parenting support-seeking behaviors were assessed using nine binary indicators of sources of parenting support: spouse/partner, relative, friend, co-worker, agency caseworker, social worker/therapist, psychiatrist, a minister/priest, and other. Following the successful identification of distinct classes, conditional LCAs were estimated, adjusting for socio-demographics, such as caregiver age, race, and gender.

Results: The results revealed three distinct sources of parenting support. The Class 1 profile (n=274, 33%) was primarily confined to personal and informal relationships, such as spouses, family members, and close friends. The Class 2 parenting support profile (n=302, 36%) had a more diversified support portfolio, as they relied on both formal relationships (e.g., caseworkers, therapists, and ministers). Class 3 (n=261, 31%) had the least diversified support portfolio, with their primary parenting support sources being relatives and clergy. None of the sociodemographic factors (i.e., caregiver age, race, and gender) were associated with the probability of belonging to these distinct latent classes of parenting support sources.

Conclusion & Implications: The findings revealed hidden patterns and subgroups of support-seeking behavior among foster care parents based on combinations of support sources they use. This insight could help policymakers and administrators in the child welfare system to better understand the heterogeneity in fostering parents’ support networks, which is important for informing a more tailored approach to support programs and policies.

Author

• Imani Careese Johnson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  Presenting Author