ScholarWorks > Institutes & Centers > Grandparents Raising Grandchildren > GrandFamilies > Vol. 4 > Iss. 1 (2017)
Abstract
Grandparents are increasingly solicited to become foster parents. This study aims to describe the psychological distress, parental sensitivity, and parental commitment of a group of Quebec foster grandparents. Forty-eight foster parents were assessed in this study, including 12 grandparents. Psychological distress was assessed using the Symptom Checklist–90–R (SCL–90–R®; Derogatis & Lazarus 1994), parental sensitivity using the short version of the Maternal Behavior Q-Sort (Tarabulsy et al., 2009; Pederson & Moran, 1995) and commitment using a semi-structured interview (This is My Baby; TIMB: Bates & Dozier, 1998). Results indicate no difference between foster parents and grandparents as a function of parental characteristics, sensitivity and commitment. However, results show an association between grandparent status and depressive symptoms even after controlling for family income and child externalization. Challenges faced by foster grandparents are discussed as well as their need of support from child welfare protection.
Recommended Citation
Poitras, K.,
Tarabulsy, G. M.,
Valliamée, E.,
Lapierre, S.,
Provost, M.
(2017). Grandparents as Foster Parents: Psychological Distress, Commitment, and Sensitivity to their Grandchildren. GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy, 4 (1).
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/grandfamilies/vol4/iss1/10
