Assessment Battery for Care Alumni Parents and Their Children: A Pilot Study to Test Feasibility of Study Protocol

Background Care alumni face long-term psychosocial challenges that affect parenting and increase the risk of intergenerational child welfare involvement. Most studies on care alumni parents derive from the United States or Northern Europe, with limited data from Central Europe. Differences in child welfare systems and demographics necessitate local research to understand these families’ unique strengths and challenges. The aim of this study was to pilot the feasibility of an assessment protocol for care alumni parents and their children. Methods Care alumni parents and their children were recruited from a longitudinal Swiss study. The assessment protocol comprised parent questionnaires, parent-reported child adjustment, and direct child developmental assessment. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment, participation, participant engagement, assessment completion, and adverse events. Results Sixteen parents, reporting on 22 children (mean age = 7.45 years; 5 girls, 12 direct assessments), participated. Most parents were mothers (68.8%), cohabiting with their children (81.3%), and reported fewer traumatic experiences than non-participating parents. Personal rapport was critical for recruitment, with direct phone contact being the most successful approach. Most parents and children completed the assessment protocol, and no adverse events were reported. Participants engaged positively with assessments, although younger children showed difficulties sustaining attention during the assessment battery. Parents and children showed non-clinical levels of psychosocial adjustment and development. Conclusions This pilot study provides preliminary evidence for the feasibility of the assessment protocol in care alumni parents and their children. Expansion to a larger sample is recommended to explore intergenerational risk and protective factors in care alumni families.