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With nearly 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system, the challenge of recruiting and maintaining foster parents can be complex.

And recent research from the University of Georgia indicates that the quality of the bond between foster caregivers can significantly influence their willingness to continue fostering.

Researchers from UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences discovered that the more dissatisfied a couple felt about their relationship, the less inclined they — particularly the mother — would be to persist in fostering in the future.

The researchers surveyed numerous foster caregiver pairs, revealing three types of foster parent relationships: those where both partners reported a strong connection, those where both indicated a moderately strong bond, and those where fathers perceived their relationship as moderately strong while mothers viewed it as poor.

“The demand for foster caregivers is incredibly high at present, and retention is equally vital. Although foster family structures differ, a high-quality home with a couple in charge involves a stable relationship and a nurturing household,” stated Evin Winkelman Richardson, the lead author of the study and an assistant research scientist and co-director of the Couple and Relationship Enrichment Lab in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. “If a child arrives in a home and the foster caregivers then opt to cease fostering, that constitutes another disruption in that child’s life, compounding their traumatic experiences.”

Fostering challenges such as time constraints, impact relationships

Couples who decide to foster children encounter various obstacles.

Many children in foster care have faced abuse or neglect in the past. Some have lost a parent or have a parent in prison. Consequently, these children often require additional time and attention.

These extra stressors can affect the dynamic between the foster parents.

“Many couples realize that fostering will be challenging, but they often underestimate just how demanding it can be,” Richardson remarked. “Time limitations and obligations to support the child leave significantly less time for everything else. Foster caregivers frequently express that this is among their primary challenges: they genuinely have little time for themselves or their partner.”

Couples who formed attachments to their foster child often reported feelings of loss and sorrow when the child transitioned to a permanent home.

“The strength of your relationship is crucial, especially in a demanding situation like being foster caregivers. If your relationship is solid, you’re more likely to feel capable of managing the challenges. You have a reliable partner by your side,” Richardson explained. “However, faced with significant challenges, tough days, and a relationship that isn’t as robust, it becomes considerably harder to want to continue fostering.”

Foster mothers may influence the decision to continue fostering

Couples who rated their interpersonal relationship lower were less likely to prolong fostering. This may be due to foster caregivers generally experiencing higher levels of conflict and burnout, accompanied by a sense of diminished control in their relationships.

Mothers, in particular, were more prone to express reluctance to continue fostering when they viewed their relationship with their partner as unhealthy. This might stem from added pressure to excel in their caregiver role and insufficient support from their partner.

If the mother was facing difficulties, the couple was less likely to continue fostering — even if the father perceived their relationship as moderate.

Interpersonal relationships require effort, and we all need a little support at times.” —Evin Richardson, College of Family and Consumer Sciences

“In couples who foster, women often take on more caregiving responsibilities, managing the household and caring for the children, thus carrying a larger share of the load,” Richardson commented. “This could lead to the sentiment of ‘I’m the one carrying most of this responsibility. I don’t want to continue fostering because I’m shouldering the majority of the caregiving work.’”

Researchers suggest that couples fostering children consider seeking relationship education and counseling to navigate challenging situations.

“Interpersonal relationships are challenging, and we all need a little assistance occasionally,” Richardson stated. “It doesn’t imply you’re a bad person or that your relationship is doomed. Acquiring new knowledge and skills to enhance your bond with your partner can truly make a significant difference in your lives.”

This study was published in the journal Family Process and was supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additional co-authors include FACS faculty Ted Futris, FACS students Rachel Brown, Shuangyue Cui, and Lydia Shepherd, along with FACS staff Jessica Starke, and East Carolina University’s Jacquelyn Mallette.

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