Holding a Foster Child's Mind in Mind

Holding a Foster Child's Mind in Mind

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) for foster families in Denmark on child mental health and well-being, parental stress, mental health, and reflective function, parental mind-mindedness and the parent-child relationship.

Children placed in foster care are psychologically and physically vulnerable and show more social, developmental, and behavioral problems than children living with their family of origin. Many foster parents struggle to care for these children, some of whom have experienced serious adversity at a young age. The study examines the effects of Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) in a cluster-randomized controlled trial with 175 foster families with children aged 4-17 years in 10 Danish municipalities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any kind of foster family (including professional and kinship care) with at least one full-time foster child aged 4-17 years.
• Elevated child symptoms as measured by X scales and
• An expressed need for support from either the foster parents or the foster child.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Foster families in which there are no reported difficulties and concerns regarding the child or the placement.
• Foster families in which the child was placed with the family within the last X months