Follow-up of children and adolescents in residential care in children's homes

Abstract

Hukkanen R, Sourander A, Bergroth L, Piha J. Follow-up of children and adolescents in residential care in children's homes. Nord J Psychiatry 1999;53:185 -189. Oslo. ISSN 0803-9488.The present study reports changes in the behaviour and emotional symptoms of 53 children placed in children's home care during a 2.5-year follow-up period, using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) filled out by the staff members. Almost three-quarters of the children and adolescents in care showed impairment in the CBCL total scores during the period. Externalizing symptoms such as aggressivity, delinquency, and attention problems were significantly increased during the period. Twenty-five per cent of the children deteriorated from normal range to clinical range. Placement under the age of 7 years and a history of individual psychotherapy were related to a better prognosis for changes in CBCL mean scores. The present study suggests that many children with long-term placements in children's homes are in need of specially planned treatment for psychologic and social problems.• Child and adolescent psychiatry, Children's homes, Follow-up, Residential care.

Mental Health Symptom Profiles of Adolescents in Foster Care

“…A range of psychological and neurobiological processes in early childhood that are critical to human social functioning are impaired by early and prolonged exposure to traumatic abuse, and by the absence of nurturing, sensitive care (Charlotte et al, 2017). The strongest independent predictor of mental health difficulties among children and adolescents in care is 'age at entry into care' -with entry at younger age being protective (Burge, 2007;Hukkanen et al, 1999;Tarren-Sweeney, 2008). This is consistent with cumulative trauma exposure models and neuroscience (Charlotte et al, 2017), as well as attachment theory (Bowlby, 1988;O'Connor et al, 1999).…”