Beyond Child-Related Risk Factors: Foster Caregiver Competencies and Child Psychological Adjustment Following Foster Care Breakdown

Family foster care is the preferred child protection intervention for children who cannot safely remain with their biological families. While placement breakdown is often linked to children’s emotional and behavioural difficulties, foster caregiver competencies have received considerably less attention. This study examined whether caregiver competencies vary by reason for the placement breakdown and how these differences relate to children’s psychological adjustment.

The cross-sectional study included 23 children (69.6% boys; aged 5–18 years, M = 14.00, SD = 3.66) who experienced foster care breakdown and 16 foster families, including three kinship families. Foster caregivers were aged 35-75 years (M=51.56, SD=11.65), and 62.5% of caregivers were women. Data collection included a sociodemographic questionnaire, structured interviews, the Sistema de Evaluación de Niños y Adolescentes (SENA), the CUIDA questionnaire, and the Family Environment Scale (FES). Descriptive analyses and one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) with post hoc group comparisons were conducted based on the primary reason for placement breakdown (age of majority, change in protection measure, foster caregiver overload, or child-initiated termination).

Significant differences emerged by reason for placement breakdown. Children whose placements ended due to caregiver overload exhibited the poorest psychological adjustment, with increased psychological difficulties, behavioural problems, executive functioning deficits, aggression, oppositional and antisocial behaviour, substance use, and reduced personal resources. Although children whose placements ended at their own request also experienced elevated psychological difficulties, caregiver competencies were not significantly impaired. Overload group caregivers scored lower on empathy, assertiveness, self-esteem, and flexibility. Family climate did not differ significantly across groups.

Foster care breakdown should be understood relationally, considering both children’s psychological needs and foster caregiver competencies. Systematic assessment of caregiver competencies may enhance family matching, guide support, and help prevent placement disruptions, ultimately promoting children’s mental health.