Increasing Resource Parents’ Sensitivity towards Child Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: a Descriptive Study on a Trauma-Informed Resource Parent Training

Abstract

Resource parents are often insufficiently prepared for recognizing and managing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in their traumatized foster children, which can put a successful foster placement at risk. The Resource Parent Curriculum (RPC) developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network is designed to increase resource parents’ sensitivity towards child PTSS. This study explores the effect of the RPC on resource parents’ recognition of child PTSS, resource parents’ perceived upbringing stress in caring for their foster child, and child PTSS before entering the RPC (T0), after completing the RPC (T1) and at six-month follow-up (T2). Results (n = 108) show an increase in recognition of child PTSS and a decrease in resource parents’ experienced upbringing stress and child PTSS over time. Findings suggest that the RPC increases resource parents’ trauma sensitivity. However, child PTSS severity remains high. To address foster children’s PTSS, child trauma-focused treatment appears needed in addition to the RPC.