Results and publications

The baseline measures showed that a large number of foster children showed little responsiveness and involvement towards the foster parent. A large number of foster parents, however, reported little or no problems and seemed to be unaware that their foster child showed avoidant behavior and the relationship with the child might be at risk.

The randomized control study showed a significantly positive effect in the FFI group with regard to the primary outcome measures (EAS subscales) in foster parents and foster children. With regard to the secondary outcome measures (NOSI-R, cortisol), however, no effects were found. The results of this RCT are promising. More research is needed on the long-term effects of the FFI.

Publications:

van Andel, H.W.H., Grietens, H., & Knorth, E.J. (2012). Foster Parent-Foster Child Intervention (FFI). An intervention designed to reduce stress in young children placed in a foster family. Adoption & Fostering, 36 (2), 19-28.

van Andel, H.W.H., Grietens, H., & Knorth, E.J. ( 2012). De Pleegouder-Pleegkind Interventie (PPI): Een interventie gericht op reductie van stress bij jonge kinderen die in een pleeggezin worden geplaatst. Orthopedagogiek: Onderzoek en Praktijk, 51 , 57-68 .

van Andel, H.W.H., Grietens, H., Strijker, J., van der Gaag, R.J., & Knorth, E.J. (2014). Searching for effective interventions for foster children under stress: A meta-analysis. Child & Family Social Work, 19 , 149-155.

van Andel, H.W.H., Jansen, L.M.C., Grietens, H., Knorth, E.J., & van der Gaag, R.J. (2014). Salivary cortisol: A possible biomarker in evaluating stress and effects of intervention in young foster children? European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 23 , 3-12.

van Andel, H.W.H. (2015). Managing and reducing stress in foster carers of young foster children: Evaluation of the ‘Pleegouder-pleegkind interventie (PPI)’ (doctoral dissertation). Groningen: University of Groningen.

van Andel, H. W. H., Post, W. J., Jansen, L. M. C., Kamphuis, J. S., Van der Gaag, R. J., Knorth, E. J., & Grietens, H. (2015). The developing relationship between recently placed foster infants and toddlers and their foster carers: Do demographic factors, placement characteristics and biological stress markers matter? Children and Youth Services Review, 58, 219-226.

van Andel, H., Post, W., Jansen, L., Van der Gaag, R. J., Knorth, E., & Grietens, H. (2016). Optimizing foster family placement for infants and toddlers: A randomized controlled trial on the effect of the Foster Family Intervention. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry , 86, 332-344.