PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL STRESS IN PROFESSIONAL FOSTER CARERS IN GABROVO REGION, BULGARIA

One of the challenges in providing foster care services is the psycho-emotional stress that foster parents experience. The aim of the present study is to explore the risk factors increasing the levels of psycho-emotional stress and burnout in foster carers in the region of Gabrovo. Materials and methods: The study included 63 professional foster carers from the region of Gabrovo. We used a questionnaire designed by the research team, the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA) and a structured interview. Descriptive statistical methods and nonparametric analysis were conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics Base - v. 25. Results: The main factors that contributed to the difficulties faced by foster parents in providing care were: the child's length of stay in the foster family; the child's age at the time of placement; the support provided by the state agencies, and ongoing training. Additional factors were the foster parents' income and place of residence, the child's current health and age; foster care being provided by couples.br /> Conclusion: Foster care needs to be provided in close collaboration between local authorities, state agencies, and foster carers, with continuous psychological support for both foster parents and foster children.