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A new study from TXICFW researcher Dr. Tina Adkins and colleagues explores a group-based psychoeducation intervention for adoptive and foster caregivers. Researchers developed the intervention for this study based on Dr. Adkins’ Family Minds model, a short-term intervention created specifically for adoptive and foster caregivers.
Children and youth in foster and adoptive families are considered more vulnerable to a high level of mental health need compared to peers. Acceptance of this view among providers and policymakers necessitates the development of specialist provision and dedicated care pathways within child and adolescent mental health services. Practitioner-initiated quality improvement projects help in appraising the effectiveness of clinical interventions in local contexts. Additionally, these assist with identifying areas for service learning and practice reflection.
The evaluation activity took place in a single child and adolescent mental health service setting, starting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers implemented the intervention online via videoconferencing. The article provides an analysis of clinical data collected pre- and post-intervention. Few results of the analysis regarding the two pre- and post-measures reached statistical significance. This indicates only changes in the magnitude of stress in the parent/carer-child system. The conclusion considers what this means for supporting adoptive and foster caregivers in child and adolescent mental health service contexts.
Citation: Lewis, M., Briggs Deardon, L., Awhangansi, S., Archard, P. J., Adkins, T., & O’Reilly, M. (2024). Developing a group-based psychoeducation intervention for adoptive parents and foster carers in a specialist child and adolescent mental health service setting. Practice, 1–17. doi:10.1080/09503153.2024.2405598