Foster children’s attachment security and behavior problems in the first six months of placement: associations with foster parents’ stress and sensitivity

Abstract

Both traumatic experiences in their birth families and multiple placement histories lead to increased mental health problems in foster children. The formation of secure attachments to new caregivers could be a protective factor for foster children. The current study focused on the associations between foster parents’ sensitivity, parenting stress and foster children’s attachment behavior as well as behavior problems. The sample consists of 48 children (aged from 1 to 6 years) and their foster caregivers. Attachment behavior and sensitivity were observed during home visits. Furthermore, caregiver reports were used to assess parenting stress and children’s behavior problems. Compared to normative data, foster children showed lower levels of attachment security and more behavior problems. Foster children’s attachment security and behavior problems were predicted significantly or marginally by foster parents’ stress and supportive presence.

Keywords:

• foster children
• attachment
• behavior problems
• sensitivity
• parenting stress

Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank the German Research Association (DFG) and the German National Academic Foundation for the financial support of this research. Furthermore, we wish to thank our many assistants in data assessment and analyses, e.g., Alexandra Wurmer, Charlotte Kern, Brigitte Weiß, Jana Delniotis, Jennifer Gerlach and Anna Weghofer. Moreover, we want to thank the very helpful comments and constructive suggestions of two anonymous reviewers on earlier drafts of this paper. Finally, special thanks to the participating foster families, who made this study possible.