Experiences of parental regret among Australian foster parents

To date, research on parental regret has focused exclusively on parental regret among those who have given birth or whose partners have given birth. While in the context of foster parenting attrition has been a consistent focus in research, regret that does not necessarily lead to attrition has less often been a focus. The present paper reports on a study that explored experiences of parental regret among a sample of Australian foster parents who self-selected to participate in response to online advertising explicitly focused on parental regret. Interviews were conducted in 2023 with 28 Australian foster parents with a diversity of caring experiences. Transcribed interviews were analysed thematically. Themes developed focused on: (1) regret related to the impact of foster parenting on participants’ birth children; (2) regret related to assuming that existing parenting skills would suffice in the care of foster children; (3) regret caused by a lack of support; and (4) regret resulting in feelings of shame and guilt and ultimately placement termination. The paper concludes by considering what these findings mean for foster care systems that are already stretched, with a focus on better training and support for foster parents so as to mitigate attrition.