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A qualitative examination of coparenting among foster parent dyads

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  • Cooley, Morgan E.
  • Petren, Raymond E.

Abstract

Coparenting is well established as important for parental, child, and family outcomes among those who are not involved in the child welfare system; however, limited research has examined coparenting among foster parents. This study examined how foster parents worked together to parent foster children, how they described their roles and involvement with their foster children, how fostering impacted their coparenting and couple relationship, and their experiences and needs of working together with and within the foster care system. Ten foster parents couples from different locations across the United States were recruited using a non-random purposive sample. Grounded theory analysis led to the generation of four overarching themes: (a) foster parent roles; (b) the conditions and challenges of foster parenting; (c) adjustment as a coparental team; and (d) individual and family functioning within the foster home. Results highlight that the coparental relationship was not overtly recognized as a foremost concern of foster parents; however, participants described the coparental relationship as a system that was crucial for making adjustments to the challenges and conditions of fostering while providing a stable environment for children. Implications for future research on factors associated with coparenting among foster parents and the need to enhance support to foster parents are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Cooley, Morgan E. & Petren, Raymond E., 2020. "A qualitative examination of coparenting among foster parent dyads," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:110:y:2020:i:c:s0190740919309028
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rhodes, Kathryn W. & Orme, John G. & McSurdy, Michael, 2003. "Foster Parent's Role Performance Responsibilities: Perceptions of Foster Mothers, Fathers, and Workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(12), pages 935-964, December.
    2. Le Prohn, Nicole S., 1994. "The role of the kinship foster parent: A comparison of the role conceptions of relative and non-relative foster parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(1-2), pages 65-84.
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    4. Richardson, Evin W. & Futris, Ted G. & Mallette, Jacquelyn K. & Campbell, Avery, 2018. "Foster mothers' parenting stress and coparenting quality: An examination of the moderating role of support," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 77-82.
    5. Combs-Orme, Terri & Orme, John G., 2014. "Foster parenting together: Assessing foster parent applicant couples," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 70-80.
    6. Cole, Susan A. & Eamon, Mary Keegan, 2007. "Self-perceptions of fulfilling the foster caregiver role: A preliminary analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 655-671, May.
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    8. Cooley, Morgan E. & Thompson, Heather M. & Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson, 2017. "Risk, resilience, and complexity: Experiences of foster parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 35-41.
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    1. Daniela Leal & Jorge Gato & Susana Coimbra & Fiona Tasker & Samantha Tornello, 2022. "The Prospective Co-Parenting Relationship Scale (PCRS) for Sexual Minority and Heterosexual People: Preliminary Validation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-23, May.
    2. Findley, Erin & Praetorius, Regina T., 2023. "Points of foster parent stress in the system: A qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    3. van de Koot-Dees, Danielle & Young Sliedrecht, Keun, 2023. "‘Of course you will succeed warrior ▪': Sensitive closings of WhatsApp conversations by professional foster parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).

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