EPV327 - Emotional and Behavioral Impact of Biological Parents Contact with their Foster Care Children: A cross-sectional study of Mental Health Outcomes

EPV327

Emotional and Behavioral Impact of Biological Parents Contact with their Foster Care Children: A cross-sectional study of Mental Health Outcomes

I. Farmakopoulou¹, L. Kyriakou¹, M. Theodoratou²^3,*

¹Sciences of Education and Social Work, University of Patras, ²Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Patras, Greece, ³Health Sciences, Neapolis university Pafos, Pafos, Cyprus

Introduction: Foster care in Greece provides temporary protection and stability for children separated from their biological families. Since Law 4538/2018, maintaining parental contact has become a legal and therapeutic priority, yet its psychological effects remain insufficiently explored.

Objectives: To investigate the frequency, nature, and psychological consequences of contact between foster children and their biological parents, and to evaluate its influence on the children’s emotional well-being and behavior.

Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with 30 foster families and 13 social workers from Child Protection Units in Attica. Data were collected using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and a self-designed questionnaire. Analysis employed IBM SPSS 24, descriptive statistics, and the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results: Children were mainly 3–8 years old (70%), with monthly supervised face-to-face contact (60%), usually with mothers (58%). Following visits, 63% of foster parents reported anxiety, 57% mood changes, and 48% sleep or regressive behaviors. Although 56.7% rated the child’s overall emotional health as good, social workers tended to report lower adjustment scores.

Conclusions: Supervised and psychologically supported contact is essential to foster stability and resilience in children under Greek foster care.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared