ABSTRACT

A preliminary evaluation of a multicomponent youth development program for siblings in foster care was conducted prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pretest posttest measures of youth well-being were collected from sixteen youth, caregivers, and caseworkers over a six-month period. Caregivers reported increased internalizing and externalizing behaviors, sibling relationship difficulties, prosocial behavior, and resilience during the study period. Youth reported reduced school engagement, increased resilience, and prosocial behavior. In-person sibling programming was associated with increased prosocial behavior. Virtual sibling programming was associated with lower hyperactivity, increased prosocial behavior, and increased emotional problems. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

摘要

在 COVID-19 大流行之前和期间，对寄养兄弟姐妹的多元青年发展计划进行了初步评估。在六个月的时间里，从 16 名青年、看护者和个案工作者那里收集了青年幸福感的前测后测措施。照顾者报告说，在研究期间，内化和外化行为、手足关系困难、亲社会行为和适应力都有所增加。青年人报告说，学校参与度降低，适应力增强，亲社会行为增加。面对面的兄弟姐妹编程与增加的亲社会行为有关。虚拟兄弟姐妹编程与较低的多动症、增加的亲社会行为和增加的情绪问题有关。讨论了对研究和实践的影响。