What Mediates the Link Between Foster Parents' Sensitivity Towards Child Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Job Satisfaction? The Role of Compassion Fatigue and Foster Parent-Child Relationship

Purpose: It is very likely that many children who enter the foster care system have experienced at least one traumatic event, and can develop symptoms of PTSS. Consequently, foster parents' level of sensitivity towards child symptoms of PTSS plays a significant role in child development, but the link between sensitivity and several professional characteristics is not well understood. The current study aims to explain the effect foster parents' sensitivity towards child trauma exert on their job satisfaction, via foster parents' compassion fatigue and the quality of their relationship with the children in care. This study is one of the few to investigate foster parents' sensitivity towards child trauma, and the direct and indirect effects on other variables. Methods: Structural equation modeling was used to test a mediating model on this sample (N = 165) after using an online survey to collect the cross-sectional data. Results: The model produced good fit (RMSEA = 0.087; CFI = 0.899). The direct effects between variables are significant. The relationship between foster parents' sensitivity towards trauma and their job satisfaction can be better understood with the contribution of compassion fatigue. Conclusion: Findings confirm the mediation effect of compassion fatigue and reveal more aspects of the sensitivity towards trauma concept. These results could be implemented by considering more accurate measurements for the caregiver's sensitivity towards child trauma. The importance of considering interventions for increasing foster parents' trauma knowledge and skills is highlighted.

Caring for nontraditional families: Kinship, foster, and adoptive

PURPOSE

Information about nontraditional (kinship, foster, and adoptive) families is typically scattered or overlooked both in nursing education and nursing practice settings. Using a nursing-centric, population-focused lens, the current state of nontraditional families in the United States is briefly described. An overview of the challenges and psychological dynamics involved when a nonbiological parent assumes the role of caregiver is provided.

CONCLUSION

Based on the 2010 Census findings and other indicators, we now understand that nontraditional families and their children make up a considerable portion of the population. Nurses, regardless of level of practice, have the potential to positively impact health outcomes of nontraditional parents and their children. Knowledge of the formation and needs of nontraditional families can inform, and improve, culturally safe, trauma-informed nursing care.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This discussion is a first step in appreciating the formation of nontraditional families and the importance of trauma-informed, unbiased, nonstereotypic discourse in nursing care. By describing the heterogeneity of how families are built through kinship care, foster placements, and adoptive homes, nurses' assessments and interventions will be informed and through a lens of the high potential for past traumas. With this foundational knowledge, nurses interfacing with nontraditional families are better prepared to provide much needed support and relevant care for this unique population.

Foster and kinship carer survey: Accessing health services for children in out-of-home care

AIM

To explore the experiences of Victorian foster and kinship carers in accessing health services for children in their care and to quantify the frequency of potential barriers to health care.

METHODS

On-line survey co-designed with the Foster Care Association of Victoria measuring carer-reported health service engagement by a child/young person in their care, ease of service access, time to receiving Medicare number and out-of-pocket health-related costs. A total of 239 foster and 51 kinship carers were recruited through email and social media by carer support agencies.

RESULTS

In total, 90% of children/young people had engaged with a general practitioner. Most had engaged with dental (75%), paediatric (72%), optometry (61%) and audiology (54%) services. Mental health services were most likely to be needed but not yet received. Neither carer education nor socio-economic status was associated with likelihood of service engagement. Carers reported that it was hardest to get appointments with mental health and paediatric services. Twenty-seven percent had waited to see a health service because of delays in carers receiving their Medicare number. Sixty percent of carers had paid out-of-pocket for health services; 78% of these had not been reimbursed.

CONCLUSION

Victorian foster and kinship carers report high health service use for children and young people in their care. Mental health services were the hardest to access with the largest gap between identified need and service use. Timely access to Medicare numbers and financial support are barriers to access that could be addressed. The development of integrated paediatric health care and clinicians co-located with child protection could also assist.

Children in foster care: what forensic nurses need to know

Children living in foster care are a unique population with specialized healthcare needs. This article will assist forensic nurses and advanced practice forensic nurses, particularly those working in pediatrics, in understanding the needs of children in foster care and implementing a practice plan to better meet their healthcare needs. To that end, a basic understanding of the foster care system is crucial and involves an appreciation of the interface between the legal system and the child welfare system. Most important to providing care to children in foster care is a true understanding of trauma exposure and its potential effects on the lives of children: physically, developmentally, emotionally, and psychologically. This article will assist forensic nurses working with pediatric populations to more fully understand the needs of children in foster care and to develop innovative interventions to appropriately meet their unique needs.