title: Perceptions of coparenting in foster care.
abstract: Although literature supports the association between harmonious coparenting practices and lowered child problems, little is known about coparenting influences among family constellations in the foster care system. Via a compilation of a new coparenting practices measure, we examined similarities and differences on foster parent-derived perceptions of support/flexibility, shared communication, conflict/triangulation, and total coparenting between foster and biological parents and their independent contribution to child internalizing and externalizing problems. Self-reports were gathered from foster parents (N=80) in 2 groups: kin and nonkin. As compared with nonkin, kin foster parents reported higher perceived support/flexibility, shared communication, and total coparenting. A tendency for higher conflict/triangulation among kin foster parents was also found. After considering foster parent group, psychological distress, and harsh discipline, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that perceived total coparenting and conflict/triangulation contributed to child internalizing and externalizing problems. Results support the linkage between perceptions of coparenting and child problems among caregivers (foster and biological alike) in kin and nonkin arrangements and highlight training in coparenting in general, and conflict management in particular, as an important intervention focus to reduce the high level of child problems in this vulnerable population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, 320 E. 94 Street, New York, NY 10128, USA. oriana.linares@mountsinai.org
authors.forename: Lourdes Oriana
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Linares
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Montalto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D035841:Behavioral Research; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002668:Child Rearing / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004645:Empathy / Q000941:ethics; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010553:Personality Development; D011594:Psychometrics; D057566:Self Report; D012938:Social Perception