Tap for full article!
Predictors of parental stress and family function one year after rapid unprepared return A preliminary analysis from five nations
Rapid Unprepared Return: During the COVID-19 pandemic, some governments chose to mandate the rapid and unprepared return of children in residential care to families. On average, they had about two weeks to prepare the children and families for reunification.
IN THIS STUDY:
Participants came from a
LEARNING COHORT made up of 10 organizations, who were provided with
Training
Small Grants
Evidence-Based Resources
A Peer-Learning Community
From these organizations, surveys were sent to:
115
FROM
FAMILIES
One year after
experiencing rapid return,
FIVE
Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mexico, COUNTRIES: and Uganda
83%
of children were still with their families.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Research on child development suggests that rapid return goes against best practices for family reunification. In light of this, outcomes were better than expected. However:
1 5 1 . 7 % demonstrated ineffective family functioning.
2 Data suggested high levels of PARENTAL STRESS.
3
High parental stress correlated with LESS EFFECTIVE
FAMILY FUNCTIONING.
Based on research by Amanda Howard, Ian Forber-Pratt, and Nicole G. Wilke.
Tap for full article!
Predictors of parental stress and family function one year after rapid unprepared return A preliminary analysis from five nations
WHAT HELPED? Organizations that received extra support were able to provide better services to families, who in turn had lower parental stress and more effective family functioning.
TYPES OF SUPPORT SERVICES OFFERED:
EDUCATIONAL Such as: tutoring, educational resources, and day care.
PSYCHOSOCIAL Such as: parenting training, therapy, and social support groups.
MEDICAL Such as: health care and medical treatments.
MATERIAL SUPPORT Such as: food assistance, home repair, and material goods.
OCCUPATIONAL & FINANCIAL Such as: income generating education, microfinancing, and cash support.
SPECIFICALLY,
income generation support was vital to better family functioning. Families who received services such as financial assistance, job training, home repairs, and food assistance had lower levels of parental stress and better family functioning.
Economic instability was one of the biggest concerns that families expressed prior to rapid unprepared return, and was also a commonly cited reason for initially placing a child into residential care.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Organizations receiving assistance were better able to support families.
Based on research by Amanda Howard, Ian Forber-Pratt, and Nicole G. Wilke. For more recommendations when facing rapid unprepared return, click here.