Austin, Ashley & Craig, Shelley & Matarese, Marlene & Greeno, Elizabeth & Weeks, Angela & Betsinger, Sean. (2021). Preliminary Effectiveness of an LGBTQ+ Affirmative Parenting Intervention with Foster Parents. Children and Youth Services Review. 127. 106107. 10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106107.
Summary
LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented in the US foster care system due to familial rejection based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. This study explored why LGBTQ+ youth tend to remain in foster care for longer periods and face higher rates of removal from foster care placements. Although it has already been established that a significant portion of youth in the child welfare system identify as LGBTQ+, there is a shortage of evidence-supported interventions (ESIs) and no known published studies on interventions for caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth. Drawing on literature exploring effective parenting and compassion-focused approaches, this study developed the AFFIRM Caregiver intervention, which aims to enhance affirmative caregiving skills for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care.
The study’s purpose is to assess the impact of AFFIRM Caregiver; specifically, whether participation in the AFFIRM Caregiver intervention increases supportive attitudes, behaviours, and confidence in caring for LGBTQ+ youth, and whether these changes are sustained at a three-month follow up. Recruitment efforts targeted foster parents at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services in Ohio. A total of 103 caregivers enrolled in AFFIRM Caregiver, with 92 completing the training. Data collection involved pre- and post-test surveys. The study developed five measures to assess changes in caregivers, as pre-established standardized measures were not available.
There were statistically significant improvements in foster parents’ reports of affirmative attitudes and behaviours towards LGBTQ+ youth and statistically significant improvements in foster parents’ reports of affirmative caregiving self-efficacy. The study’s results highlight the potential of AFFIRM Caregiver for broader implementation across diverse caregivers, given its success in the study across different demographics.
Methodological Notes
This study’s limitations, including the absence of a control group and the non-random sampling, constrain definitive conclusions including the inability to generalize findings. Concerns about regression to the mean and the limited timeframe of follow-up assessments necessitates longer-term investigations. Moving forward, a randomized controlled trial with diverse parental roles and varied intervention formats is warranted to bolster the evidence base for affirmative parenting interventions.