Trauma-informed care psychoeducational group-based interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents: A narrative review

Abstract

Trauma-informed care (TIC) psychoeducational group-based interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents are growing, but evidence about their effects have not been integrated. A narrative review was undertaken of studies that evaluated the effects of these interventions. It found that they appear to increase carers’ capacity to provide children with TIC and reduce child trauma-related difficulties. Three core components – psychoeducation, reflective engagement and skills building – were identified as helping to explain how the interventions work. However, the evidence is weak due to the mixed findings, diverse research designs, varied measures and methodological deficiencies, so results should be interpreted with caution. This highlights the urgent need for more rigorous research. Implications for practice, policy and research are discussed.

Adverse childhood experiences as context for youth assessment and diagnosis

“…749–759). It might also be helpful to use psychoeducation techniques to assist caregivers in understanding how anxiety and depression present in children who have experienced trauma, which might often be mistaken for behavioral problems (Lotty et al., 2021). The results are a call for counselors to critically reflect upon their own practices with minoritized children and adolescents who experience ACEs and increase their efforts to understand how ACEs impact children and how they can support children and families in creating healthy lives.…”

“…Black children and adolescents have long faced discrimination in the medical, mental health, and educational settings; counselors are called to take into account their own biases and assumptions, as well as use culturally relevant diagnosis methods (e.g., utilize resources such as the outline for incorporating culturally relevant information in diagnostic assessments provided by APA in the . It might also be helpful to use psychoeducation techniques to assist caregivers in understanding how anxiety and depression present in children who have experienced trauma, which might often be mistaken for behavioral problems (Lotty et al, 2021). The results are a call for counselors to critically reflect upon their own practices with minoritized children and adolescents who experience ACEs and increase their efforts to understand how ACEs impact children and how they can support children and families in creating healthy lives.…”

Trauma-informed mental health and/or substance use prevention programs for young people: protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review

“…41 To identify traumainformed approaches, this review requires eligible articles describing programs that meet one of three criteria: (i) program demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the impact of trauma on participants (ii) program contains skills-based component to foster social and emotional strength; and (iii) program contains a psychoeducational component regarding the relationship between trauma and mental ill-health and/or substance use. These criteria are based on findings from recent trauma-informed methodological studies 33,42,43 as well as seminal technical handbooks regarding trauma-informed approaches. 31,32,44 The present review limits the scope of mental ill-health prevention programs to symptoms and feelings of depression and anxiety.…”

Towards a More Comprehensive Understanding of Fostering Connections: The Trauma-Informed Foster Care Programme: A Mixed Methods Approach With Data Integration

“…The TIC approach, which aims to provide a focused and effective intervention for children and their families who have experienced trauma, is based on a wider holistic biopsychosocial approach, rather than on approaches that are purely psychosocial (Lotty et al, 2021b). TIC focuses not only on children but also on their caregivers and those who seek to support them, that is, those who work directly with children and families.…”

“…In a recent review that examined the effects of TIC psychoeducational programmes for foster carers and adoptive parents, the inclusion criteria were met by 15 studies, all published between 2009 and 2020, reflecting that this is a growing area of practice (Lotty et al, 2021b). However, overall, Lotty et al (2021b) report that evidence to support TIC psychoeducational interventions is limited, albeit with some suggestion that these interventions may increase caregivers' capacity to provide children with TIC and reduce children's trauma-related difficulties. The weakness of evidence was reflected in mixed findings, diverse designs and measures, and methodological weaknesses across the studies.…”