Evaluation of a Multi-Site Program Designed to Strengthen Relational Bonds for Siblings Separated By Foster Care

Introduction:

Positive youth development programs are an important part of a prevention science framework (Catalano, Berglund, Ryan, Lonczak, & Hawkins, 2004). These programs may be particularly useful for youth who have experienced maltreatment and familial separation following placement into foster care. There is a growing recognition of the importance of sibling relationships in the prevention science field (Feinberg, Solmeyer, & McHale, 2012; McBeath, et. al, 2014), yet few programs exist specifically to meet the needs of sibling groups experiencing foster care related separation.

This study evaluates a multi-site program designed to provide short-term reunification for sibling groups separated by foster care, through a week long summer camp experience. During camp, sibling groups engage in typical camp activities in addition to “signature event” programming designed specifically to strengthen the sibling relationship. The research questions guiding this investigation are: does participation in a short-term, camp based reunification program for siblings in foster care: (1) improve sibling support, and (2) decrease sibling conflict.

Methods:

Survey data was collected from 359 youth across 6 U.S. camp locations (M=60.9, sd=23, range=29-103) using a pre-post survey design. The age range of youth was 7-21, with a slightly greater number of female (52.2%) and non-white (54.9%) participants. The majority of participants (58.9%) were first time campers. Pre-camp surveys were administered on the first day of camp, and data from an alternate-form post-survey was collected during the final day of the camp experience. Dependent variables include a change score for a 7-item measure of sibling support (pre-alpha=.82, post-alpha=.88) and a 2-item measure of sibling conflict (pre-alpha=.72, post-alpha=.75). Independent variables included age of the youth (M=12.3, sd=3.0) and number of prior camp exposures (M=1.8, sd=1.3). Data were nested according to camp location, and analysis was conducted using hierarchical linear modeling procedures.

Results:

Sibling Conflict: The intercept-only model suggests a reduction in sibling conflict across all camps (mean=-.25, SE=.05, p<.05). The ICC (.00) suggests no significant variance in sibling conflict can be explained by camp location. Youth age and number of times at camp did not significantly predict change in sibling conflict scores.

Sibling Support: The intercept only model found a reduction in sibling support across all camps (mean=-.11, SE=.03, p<.05). The ICC (.06) suggests 6% of variance in sibling support can be explained by camp location. The fixed effects model suggests the number of prior camp exposures is associated with an increase in sibling support (Y₁₀=.06, SE=.02, p<.05).

Conclusions:

Findings suggest the program may be promising for reducing sibling conflict, and improvements in sibling support were noted for youth who had prior exposures to the camp. Short-term reunification programming for siblings in foster care may be an effective, low-cost prevention strategy to strengthen sibling relationships, and may potentially buffer the negative long-term consequences associated with maltreatment experiences and foster care related familial separation.