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Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
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Working toward reunification as a case goal: does family structure matter?
Catherine LaBrenz1, Stacey Shipe2, Lisa S Panisch3
1University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work, United States.
Children and Youth Services Review
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Single fathers face challenges in child welfare reunification. Children from single-father households have lower odds of reunification compared to those from married, partnered, or single-mother families, especially when considering race/ethnicity.
Area of Science:
- Child Welfare Research
- Family Sociology
- Social Work Practice
Background:
- Single-father households are increasing, yet their experiences in child welfare remain understudied.
- Understanding family structure's impact on child welfare outcomes is crucial for equitable service delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between family structure and reunification as an initial case goal in child welfare.
- To examine the moderating effect of child race/ethnicity on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2019 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS).
- Included 234,075 children entering foster care in fiscal year 2019.
- Employed logistic regression analyses, including an interaction term for race/ethnicity and family structure.
Main Results:
- Children from married, partnered, or single-mother households had higher odds of reunification compared to those from single-father households.
- Child race/ethnicity significantly moderated the relationship between family structure and reunification.
- An intersection of family structure and race/ethnicity influences reunification outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Family structure and child race/ethnicity intersect to affect reunification goals for children in foster care.
- Culturally responsive services targeting fathers are urgently needed to improve engagement in child welfare.
- Findings underscore the need for tailored interventions considering diverse family structures and racial backgrounds.
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