This is my child: differences among foster parents in commitment to their young children

Abstract

In this study, the authors examined variables associated with foster mothers' level of commitment to their young foster children, who ranged in age from 5 months to 5 years. Commitment was assessed using a semistructured interview known as the "This Is My Baby" interview (TIMB; Bates & Dozier, 1998). Among 84 foster parent-child dyads, foster mothers who had fostered more children previously showed lower levels of commitment than did foster mothers who had fostered fewer children. Commitment also was associated with child age at placement, with foster parents showing higher levels of commitment to children who were placed at younger ages than to children who were placed at older ages. Commitment predicted the stability of the relationship, with higher levels of commitment associated with a greater likelihood of adoption or long-term placement. These results suggest the importance of designing a child welfare system that will enhance caregivers' ability to commit to the children for whom they provide care.