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Parenting Stress and Foster Children’s Adjustment in an Egyptian Context

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Abstract

This study examined the links between parenting stress, parent social support, and child/adolescent behavioral problems and pro-social behaviors in a unique sample of genetically unrelated foster parents and children (age, M = 9.75 years; 68% females) in Cairo, Egypt. The initial sample included 78 foster families; 66 families provided complete data used for analyses. Parents completed the Arabic versions of the Parenting Stress Index Short Form, Social Support Inventory, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Overall, the variable distributions and correlations were typical of that observed in studies of Western families. Regression analyses revealed distinct patterns of links with child behavior problems vs. pro-social behavior. Findings are discussed with respect to the importance of sampling more globally diverse and representative types of parents and youth (e.g., around the world, and from different types of families).

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all participating foster families in Cairo, Egypt for their willingness and co-operation in this two study phases of this research project. We are also grateful to the assistances and facilitations offered by the managers and social work practitioners in the five Local Social Administrations at Cairo, Egypt during the planning and implementing of this two study phases of this research project.

Author Contributions

H.A.M.: The major and main responsible author of this research study. K.D.D.: The second and assisting author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Education Authority, Belfast Region, Belfast, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, UK

    Hamido A. Megahead

  2. 5 Lisburn Avenue, Belfast BT97FX, Northern Ireland, UK

    Hamido A. Megahead

  3. Faculty of Social Work, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt

    Hamido A. Megahead

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA

    Kirby Deater-Deckard

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  1. Hamido A. Megahead
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  2. Kirby Deater-Deckard
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Correspondence to Hamido A. Megahead.

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Megahead, H.A., Deater-Deckard, K. Parenting Stress and Foster Children’s Adjustment in an Egyptian Context. J Child Fam Stud 26, 2266–2275 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0736-2

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