Foster Parent's Role Performance Responsibilities: Perceptions of Foster Mothers, Fathers, and Workers

Different expectations of foster parents' roles can create problems for children, families, and agencies. This study examined role expectations among 161 foster/adoptive family applicants (157 mothers and 103 fathers) and 67 workers. The Foster Parent Role Performance (FPRP) scale was used to measure perceived responsibility. Results indicated agreement about the paramount importance of parenting, and agreement among married couples. Within each group there was disagreement about responsibility for working with the agency, and disagreement between workers and parents about responsibility for working with the agency and parenting. African-American mothers and workers believed that parents had more responsibility. Parents who had more education and workers who did foster parent training believed that parents had less responsibility. (Original abstract)