A Latent Class Analysis of Nonrelative Foster Caregivers' Trait Mindfulness and Individual and Relationship Outcomes

• Published in: Journal of family psychology 2022-10, Vol.36 (7), p.1262-1273
• Main Authors: Richardson, Evin W., Pettit, Mark E., Futris, Ted G., Gale, Jerry E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Caregiver burden; Caregivers; Child placement; Couples; Female; Foster Care; Foster carers; Heterosexuality; Human; Interpersonal Relationships; Latent class analysis; Male; Mental depression; Mindfulness; Parental stress; Parents & parenting; Partners; Self care; Stress; Stress management; Well Being
• ISSN: 0893-3200; 1939-1293
• DOI: 10.1037/fam0000917

Despite the joys related to fostering, foster caregivers also report challenges that consequently may influence placement stability. A healthy couple relationship is a characteristic of a high-quality, two-parent foster home. Further, foster caregivers who experience less parenting stress and possess greater well-being (e.g., lower depressive symptoms, higher levels of self-care) are better equipped to manage the challenges of fostering. Trait mindfulness has been associated with a greater capacity to manage parenting stress and cultivate greater well-being. The present descriptive study employs latent class analysis to examine the trait mindfulness of heterosexual foster caregiver couples (N = 235), potential covariates of trait mindfulness, and couple and individual outcomes. Four groups of foster caregiver couples emerged where both partners reported either high or low levels of trait mindfulness and where one partner reported high mindfulness and the other reported low mindfulness. Foster caregiver couples where both partners were younger, non-White, and those where the woman was employed outside of the home reported lower levels of mindfulness for one or both partners. Further, individuals in couples where both partners were highly mindful reported better couple relationship outcomes and self-care and fewer depressive symptoms. Implications for future research and practice are shared.