Parental Involvement During the Placement of a Child in Family Foster Care: Factors Associated with the Continuation of Parental Roles

This article presents the results of a study on parental involvement in family foster care. The aims of the study were: (a) to describe the participation of the parents, and (b) to identify variables associated with their participation. Fifty-eight (58) parents having a child in family foster care were interviewed with a face-to-face questionnaire. The results indicate that parents participate little in care-related tasks or school activities, but are more involved in decision-making and discussions concerning the child. We observed greater participation where the parent had a spouse or partner and where the social workers and foster parents seemed to have a positive attitude towards parental participation and towards the parents themselves.