Investigating parental stress and sense of competence among foster and adoptive caregivers: a virtual support intervention

This exploratory study examined parental stress and parental sense of competence among foster and adoptive parents (N = 143) who participated in an online support intervention. Data were collected via an electronic survey utilizing a retrospective pre/post design. A paired samples t-test was conducted. Foster and adoptive parents in this study reported a decrease in parental stress (−.664, t(142) = -2.273 p = .024) after group participation and a decrease in parental sense of competence (−1.907, t(139) = −4.866, p= < .001) after group participation. The results of this study must consider the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time of parental engagement in the intervention.