Abstract Objectives: The main purposes of this study were to determine (1) the social-demographic, risk factors, and social supports predicting depressive symptoms among foster caregivers, and (2) whether social supports buffered the effects of the risk factors.

Method: Telephone interviews were used to collect data from a sample of 204 foster caregivers in the State of Illinois. Interviewers pretested the survey instrument, which included valid and reliable instruments on depressive symptoms and childhood maltreatment, an important risk factor for foster caregivers. A multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis was used to meet the objectives of the study.

Results: The foster caregivers exhibited few depressive symptoms, and only one respondent scored in the clinical range. Contrary to past research, caregivers reporting higher income were at an increased risk for exhibiting depressive symptoms. The three risk factors--experiencing less than excellent or very good health, childhood maltreatment, and insufficient time to carry out responsibilities--were related to higher levels of depressive symptoms. Foster caregivers who perceived their support group as helpful had a decreased risk of exhibiting depressive symptoms. We found no evidence that social support buffers the effects of the risk factors.

Conclusions: The results indicate that foster caregivers were adequately screened for depression, but suggest that assessing and providing assistance for health problems, trauma from childhood maltreatment, and insufficient time to meet responsibilities might decrease depressive symptoms.

Practice Considerations: Child welfare workers need to be attentive to symptoms of depression after initial screening of foster caregivers. Child welfare workers can assist foster caregivers who exhibit depressive symptoms by expanding the focus of support groups and other interventions to directly address foster caregivers' perceptions of themselves as caregivers and assist them in addressing their own childhood trauma.