PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CHANGES IN AGING FOSTER PARENTS: EFFECT OF CHILD BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS. (16th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khoo, Y; Helton, J; Wallace, C; Whitehead, A; Kebbe, C
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 958
• Page End: 958
• Publication Date: 2018-11-16
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy031.3551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: A large majority of foster parents, including grandparents who are kin placement, are over the age of 50. Few studies have looked at how healthy these aging caregivers are or how caring for foster children impacts their health. This study examined the changes over time in foster parent physical and mental health. It was hypothesized that increased severity and frequency of child behavioral problems - whether externalizing or internalizing - would be associated with poorer health over time, particularly for foster parents ≥60 years of age. Data from the baseline and wave 2 of the 2010 National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II) were used. Ordinary Least Squares regression models with lagged dependent variables were used to analyze kin and non-kin foster parents who had custody of a foster child for both waves of data collection (n =962). Results showed that foster parents ≥60 had deteriorating physical health over time, but age alone had no association with worsening mental health. However, foster parents ≥60 caring for children with externalizing behavioral problems had significantly improved physical health. Foster parents ≥60 had significantly poorer mental health if child externalizing or internalizing problems worsened. Findings indicate that externalizing child behaviors may stimulate physical activity and improve physical health of aging foster parents, but any type of child behavioral problem can worsen mental health functioning. Improving physical and mental health for this growing number of aging caregivers is important for the well-being of both foster children and parents.