Effects of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy on Romanian Foster Parents’ Psychological Functioning and their Perceived Parenting

Autori:

Simona CIFF, Adrian V. RUS, Max E. BUTTERFIELD, Sheri R. PARRIS

Cod: ISSN: 1583-3410 (print), ISSN: 1584-5397 (electronic)
Dimensiuni: pp. 209-224

How to cite this article:

Ciff, S., Rus, A.V., Butterfield, M.E., Parris, S.R. (2015). Effects of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy on Romanian Foster Parents’ Psychological Functioning and their Perceived Parenting. Revista de Cercetare si Interventie Sociala, 50, 209-224.

Abstract:

The primary aim of this study was to explore the effects of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) intervention on Romanian foster parents’ psychological functioning (emotional distress) and how this intervention affects their perceived parenting behavior within their family. The participants included 80 Romanian foster parents (78 female and 2 male) ranging in age from 28 to 59 years (M = 45.73 years, SD = 6.38) in one county. Participants in the present study were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: REBT group (or the experimental group) and Control group. REBT group received Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and the Control group was given the standard training program on abuse and neglect that was taught within the Romanian child protection system. A pre-post design was used that included the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) as outcome measures. The results of the present study supported our hypothesis that professional foster parents receiving REBT would show lower levels of emotional distress (anxiety, depression, and anger) and an increased use of improved parenting behaviors (involvement, positive parenting, poor monitoring/supervision, inconsistent discipline, corporal punishments, and other behaviors) compared with foster parents who received the standard training program, as showed by parents self-reported change scores. The results of the present study highlight the usefulness of understanding the importance of professional foster parents receiving REBT.