Denby, R. W. (2011). Kinship liaisons: A peer-to-peer approach to supporting kinship caregivers. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(2), 217-225. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.09.004
Type of Study:
226
Number of Participants:
One-group pretest-posttest study
Population:
- Age — Adults: 29-70 years; Children: 0-18 years
- Race/Ethnicity — Adults: 43% African American, 35% European American, 15% Latino/a American, 2% Asian American, and 5% Multiracial; Children: 60% African American, 26% European American, 24% Latino/a American, 4% Asian American, 1% Native American, and 19% Multiracial
- Gender — Adults: 88% Female and 12% Male; Children: 60% Female and 40% Male
- Status — Participants were caregivers
who were caring for their relative's children due to abuse and/or neglect.
Location/Institution: Clark County, Nevada
Summary: (To include comparison groups, outcomes, measures, notable limitations)
The purpose of this study was to show the efficacy of the Kinship Liaison program. Measures utilized include the Relative Caregiver Self-assessment Scale, the Peer-to-Peer Measure and Service Logs. Results indicate that kinship liaisons are extremely helpful to caregivers and reveal 27 support categories that caregivers find most useful. One of the most significant services (i.e., information and referral) provided by the liaisons increased caregivers' knowledge of accessing available services and the permanency process. Data results show significant increases in caregivers' coping abilities and willingness to become a permanent resource for the children in their care. Limitations include nonrandomization of participants, lack of control group, small sample size, and length of follow-up.
Length of postintervention follow-up: 90 days.
