Frank Van Holen

Development of an intervention for foster parents of young foster children with externalizing behavior: theoretical basis and program description.

Foster parents are often faced with serious externalizing behaviors of their foster child. These behavioral problems may induce family stress and are related to less effective parenting and often increase. Foster children with behavioral problems are also more at risk of placement breakdown. An intervention to support foster parents of young foster children with externalizing behaviors is necessary to improve the effectiveness of foster placements. Based on research on effective parenting interventions and special needs of foster children, a treatment protocol was developed. This paper describes theoretical foundations for the content and form of the intervention and gives an overview of the modular treatment protocol. Preliminary outcomes of this intervention as well as challenges and future developments and research activities are discussed.

Adaptation and Evaluation of a Nonviolent Resistance Intervention for Foster Parents: A Progress Report.

Foster care faces serious challenges, such as behavioral problems in foster children and parental stress and ineffective parenting behavior in foster parents. The results of a pilot study that evaluated a training program for foster parents based on nonviolent resistance are described. In a pretest-posttest design, data were collected from 25 families. Significant reductions in externalizing, internalizing, and total problem behavior in the foster children and in parenting stress were found. Using a reliable change index, significant improvements in externalizing, internalizing, and total problem behavior were found in, respectively, 72, 44, and 80% of the cases. Most improvements proved to be clinically relevant. Effect sizes ranged from medium to large for problem behavior, and from small to medium for parenting stress.

Explorative study into support needs of caregivers in short-term foster care regarding problem behaviour and dealing with biological parents

Family supporting foster care (FSFC) is a directly accessible, short-term and preventive form of foster care for children under the age of 12. Caregivers in this type of foster care need comprehensive support to deal with their complex tasks. In this contribution, the support needs arising from the behaviour of the foster child as well as concerning dealing with the biological parents of 85 Flemish FSFC-parents are examined, as these are areas FSFC-parents specifically ask support for. These support needs are evaluated for possible links with child and foster parent characteristics. More experienced foster parents and foster parents with a foster child showing more externalising problem behaviour ask for more support in managing the childs behaviour.

Who returns home? Study on placement outcomes of Flemish foster children

ABSTRACT Until recently, Flemish family foster care was a temporary measure with as its most important goal, the reunification of the foster child with the birth parents. To date, nothing is known on the number of reunifications, nor has any study been undertaken into the factors (child, parent, foster parent and foster care process) associated with reunification. Case files of 127 foster children who exited foster care in 2007 were analysed. Dependent variables were type of foster care placement outcome (reunification, successful placement without reunification or breakdown) and place of residence after placement ending (with birth parents, extended family, foster family, residential care or living independently). After placement ending, only 40% of foster children went living with their parents, including foster children who were reunified (26%) and foster children who moved to their parents after a placement breakdown (14%). Characteristics of the foster children, and in particular absence of problem behaviour, were associated mainly with a return home. This may indicate that too much attention is paid to the functioning of the foster child and too little to improving the competencies of the parents and the (future) home environment.

De invloed van gedragsproblemen van pleegkinderen op het opvoedgedrag van pleegmoeders

SamenvattingPleegkinderen hebben dikwijls gedragsproblemen die de gezinsbelasting beïnvloeden en kunnen leiden tot een voortijdig afgebroken plaatsing. In deze bijdrage wordt het opvoedgedrag van pleegmoeders in kaart gebracht en wordt de invloed van gedragsproblemen en opvoedingsstress op het opvoedgedrag twee jaar later onderzocht. Gegevens over gedragsproblemen, gezinsbelasting en opvoedgedrag werden verzameld van 49 pleegmoeders. Probleemgedrag heeft een directe negatieve invloed op het opvoedgedrag en resulteert in minder ondersteuning en meer negatieve controle. Probleemgedrag leidt tevens tot meer opvoedingsstress. Pleegouders moeten worden getraind met als doel ineffectief opvoedgedrag te voorkomen. Het welzijn van de pleegouders moet sterk worden bewaakt. Meer opvoedingsstress resulteert immers ook in minder effectief opvoedgedrag.SummariesVanderfaeillie, J., Van Holen, F., & Torgh, L. (2009). The effect of behavioural problems in foster children on the parenting of foster care mothers. Kind en Adolescent, 30 (2), 108-121Foster children often have behavioural problems. Behavioural problems influence the level of parenting stress and can lead to a breakdown. This study examines the parenting behaviour of foster mothers and the influence of behavioural problems and parenting stress on the parenting behaviour two years later. Data on behavioural problems, family stress and parenting were gathered from 49 foster mothers. Problem behaviour has a direct negative impact on parenting and leads to less support and more negative control. Problem behaviour also results in more parenting stress. Foster parents need to be trained with a view to preventing ineffective parenting. The well-being of foster parents needs to be safeguarded. Higher levels of parenting stress lead to less effective parenting.

Training in Nonviolent Resistance for Foster Parents A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate a training in non-violent resistance (NVR) for foster parents who take care of a foster child (ages 6-18) with externalizing problem behavior. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was used to compare an intervention group (NVR, n = 31) with a treatment as usual control group (TAU, n = 31). The NVR-intervention consists of ten weekly home sessions. Measures regarding behavioral problems in foster children, parenting stress and parenting practices in foster mothers, and the size of the supportive network were assessed before, after treatment, and at three months follow-up. Results: NVR showed to be an acceptable approach that lead to an increase in experienced support and some promising changes in parenting stress and parenting practices. Conclusion: Implementation of this intervention might increase the effectiveness of foster care. More longitudinal research using a Multitrait-multimethod-approach is however needed.

Traumatische gebeurtenissen en traumatische stresssymptomen bij pleegkinderen

Het trauma-perspectief wordt steeds meer gehanteerd in het begrijpen van problemen in het functioneren van pleegkinderen. In dit hoofdstuk wordt gerapporteerd over de eerste Vlaamse studie vanuit dit perspectief.