Theory-driven factors related to the decision to become a foster caregiver among Portuguese adults

Abstract

The persistent shortage of foster families remains a global concern. To support recruitment efforts, it is important to understand which factors are associated with different types of engagement with foster care among community samples. This study examined how several theory-informed psychological and contextual variables (e.g., self-efficacy, motivations, time availability and planning) were associated with awareness, willingness and intention to foster children in need. A community sample of 462 Portuguese adults (aged 25–70, Mage = 39.6, SD = 10.9; 73% women) participated in the study. Regression analyses showed that awareness was positively associated with contact with the child protection system, perceived parental competence and gender. Willingness to foster was associated with greater awareness, stronger child-centred reasons, greater perceived time availability, greater self-efficacy and more developed action planning, and was negatively associated with contact with the system. Intention to foster was most strongly associated with willingness and showed unique positive associations with action planning and self-centred reasons. These findings provide theoretically grounded evidence to inform outreach strategies and social work interventions aimed at encouraging and supporting potential foster families among the general public.