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Life course outcomes on mental and physical health: The impact of foster care on adulthood

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  • Zlotnick, C.
  • Tam, T.W.
  • Soman, L.A.

Abstract

Objective: We compared the prevalence rates of mental health and physical health problems between adults with histories of childhood foster care and those without. Methods: We used 2003-2005 California Health Interview Survey data (n=70456) to test our hypothesis that adults with childhood histories of foster care will report higher rates of mental and physical health concerns, including those that affect the ability to work, than will those without. Results: Adults with a history of childhood foster care had more than twice the odds of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance because they were unable to work owing to mental or physical health problems for the past year, even after stratifying by age and adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Conclusions: Childhood foster care may be a sentinel event, signaling the increased risk of adulthood mental and physical health problems. A mental and physical health care delivery program that includes screening and treatment and ensures follow-up for children and youths who have had contact with the foster care system may decrease these individuals' disproportionately high prevalence of poor outcomes throughout their adulthood.

Suggested Citation

  • Zlotnick, C. & Tam, T.W. & Soman, L.A., 2012. "Life course outcomes on mental and physical health: The impact of foster care on adulthood," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(3), pages 534-540.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2011.300285_4
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300285
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    1. Brown, Delphine, 2023. "Childhood experiences, growing up “in care,” and trust: A quantitative analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    2. Dominick, Gregory M. & Saunders, Ruth P. & Dowda, Marsha & Kenison, Kelli & Evans, Alexandra E., 2014. "Effects of a structural intervention and implementation on physical activity among youth in residential children's homes," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 72-79.
    3. Bender, Kimberly & Yang, Jessica & Ferguson, Kristin & Thompson, Sanna, 2015. "Experiences and needs of homeless youth with a history of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 222-231.
    4. Emily Knas & Matthew Stagner & M.C. Bradley, "undated". "Federal and Local Efforts to Support Youth At-Risk of Homelessness," Mathematica Policy Research Reports faaf8b9f62d84302b655e4118, Mathematica Policy Research.
    5. Lawler, Michael J. & Sayfan, Liat & Goodman, Gail S. & Narr, Rachel & Cordon, Ingrid M., 2014. "Comprehensive residential education: A promising model for emerging adults in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 10-19.
    6. Glendening, Zachary S. & Shinn, Marybeth & Brown, Scott R. & Cleveland, Kyndra C. & Cunningham, Mary K. & Pergamit, Michael R., 2020. "Supportive housing for precariously housed families in the child welfare system: Who benefits most?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    7. Lee, Jane Jiyoun, 2024. "Cross-informant agreement between caregivers and teachers for prosocial behavior across child welfare settings," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    8. Wojcicki, Anna V. & George, Priya E. & Palzer, Elise F. & Brearley, Ann M. & Gustafson, Kimara L. & Eckerle, Judith K., 2020. "Vitamin D deficiency in a Minnesota-based foster care population: A cross sectional study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    9. Olsson, Tina M & Blakeslee, Jennifer & Bergström, Martin & Skoog, Therése, 2020. "Exploring fit for the cultural adaptation of a self-determination model for youth transitioning from out-of-home care: A comparison of a sample of Swedish youth with two samples of American youth in o," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    10. Vinnerljung, Bo & Brännström, Lars & Hjern, Anders, 2015. "Disability pension among adult former child welfare clients: A Swedish national cohort study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 169-176.
    11. Barkan, Susan E. & Salazar, Amy M. & Estep, Kara & Mattos, Leah M. & Eichenlaub, Caroline & Haggerty, Kevin P., 2014. "Adapting an evidence-based parenting program for child welfare involved teens and their caregivers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 53-61.
    12. Sacker, Amanda & Lacey, Rebecca E. & Maughan, Barbara & Murray, Emily T., 2022. "Out-of-home care in childhood and socio-economic functioning in adulthood: ONS Longitudinal study 1971–2011," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    13. Gypen, Laura & Vanderfaeillie, Johan & De Maeyer, Skrallan & Belenger, Laurence & Van Holen, Frank, 2017. "Outcomes of children who grew up in foster care: Systematic-review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 74-83.
    14. Brännström, Lars & Karlsson, Henrik & Vinnerljung, Bo & Hjern, Anders, 2018. "Childhood risk factors for disability pension among adult former Swedish child welfare clients: Same or different as for majority population peers?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 94-102.
    15. Ismayilova, Leyla & Ssewamala, Fred & Huseynli, Aytakin, 2014. "Reforming child institutional care in the Post-Soviet bloc: The potential role of family-based empowerment strategies," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P2), pages 136-148.
    16. Matthew Stagner & Lisa Klein Vogel & Emily Knas & Nickie Fung & Julie Worthington & M. C. Bradley & Angela D'Angelo & Andrew Gothro & Courtney Powers, "undated". "Reducing Homelessness Among Youth with Child Welfare Involvement: An Analysis of Phase I Planning Processes in a Multi-phase Grant," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 531bb7c43cab48a2a9d82410e, Mathematica Policy Research.
    17. Karki, Suyen & Ryynänen, Olli-Pekka & Salokekkilä, Pirkko & Häggman-Laitila, Arja, 2023. "Bayesian analysis of the factors explaining the disruptive behaviour of care leavers: A retrospective document analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    18. Power, Luke & Hardy, Mark, 2024. "Predictors of care leavers’ health outcomes: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    19. Espeleta, Hannah C. & Bakula, Dana M. & Cherry, Amanda S. & Lees, Julie & Shropshire, Deborah & Domm, Kathleen & Ruggiero, Kenneth J. & Mullins, Larry L. & Gillaspy, Stephen R., 2023. "Caregiver perceptions of the pediatric medical home model to address the health services needs of youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    20. Orri, Massimiliano & Côté, Sylvana M. & Marttila, Mikko & Ristikari, Tiina, 2021. "Childhood out-of-home placement and pathways to adult socioeconomic outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    21. Tyler, Kimberly A. & Schmitz, Rachel M., 2013. "Family histories and multiple transitions among homeless young adults: Pathways to homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 1719-1726.
    22. Strolin-Goltzman, Jessica & Holbrook, Hannah, 2023. "The influence of Decision-making ecology on placement into foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    23. Dominick, Gregory M. & Saunders, Ruth P. & Friedman, Daniela B. & Hussey, James R. & Watkins, Ken W., 2015. "Factors associated with provision of instrumental social support for physical activity in a foster parent population," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1-7.

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