Effects of the ‘Circle of Security’ group parenting program (COS-P) with foster carers: An observational study

Abstract

The Circle of Security-Parent DVD program (COS-P) is a widely used parenting intervention that is gaining popularity globally as it is currently being delivered across several continents. Despite the uptake of COS-P, there is limited research on its effectiveness for specific groups. Here we present a multi-site evaluation of a group delivery of the eight-week COS-P program to foster carers (n = 54) of 6–12 year-old children in an urban community as facilitated by community-based providers from a specialist child and youth mental health services (n = 2). Three measures, the Parent Stress Index, the Parent Child Relationship Inventory, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were used to assess functioning via a pre-post treatment design. Foster carers who participated in COS-P reported reductions in levels of emotional and behavioural difficulties for the children in their care. They also reported reductions in parent–child dysfunctional interactions and parental distress. Finally, program completion appeared to be associated with a reduction in foster carers’ perceptions of their foster child as being difficult to take care of, and with lower levels of overall stress related to their role as a foster carer. These findings, and their implications for service delivery and future research, are discussed.