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Foster children are at risk for developing problems in social-emotional functioning: A follow-up study at 8 years of age

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  • Jacobsen, Heidi
  • Bergsund, Hans Bugge
  • Wentzel-Larsen, Tore
  • Smith, Lars
  • Moe, Vibeke

Abstract

Foster children are at risk for becoming less well-adjusted in their social-emotional functioning due to possible abuse and neglect prior to placement. There is no consistent evidence that foster children’s social-emotional functioning improves in foster care, and externalizing behavior has specifically been linked to placement disruption. Investigations of foster children’s functioning over time and with multiple informants are scarce. Our first aim was to investigate foster children’s social-emotional functioning (externalizing, internalizing and total problem behavior) reported by female and male caregivers, as well as by teachers, at 8 years (T3) of age, as compared with a non-foster group. Our second aim was to investigate the predictive power of internalizing and externalizing behavior from age 2 (T1) and 3 years (T2). Results showed that foster children were reported to show more problem behavior at age 8 years compared to the comparison children, although their scores were within the normal range. Externalizing behavior reported by foster mothers at age 2 and 3 years, and by foster fathers at age 3, strongly predicted externalizing behavior at age 8 years. The results suggest that social-emotional functioning in early childhood predicts externalizing and internalizing behavior in middle childhood. This study highlights the clinical importance of investigating such behavior among young foster children in order to help them move towards a healthy developmental pathway in early school years.

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  • Jacobsen, Heidi & Bergsund, Hans Bugge & Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke, 2020. "Foster children are at risk for developing problems in social-emotional functioning: A follow-up study at 8 years of age," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:108:y:2020:i:c:s0190740919306589
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104603
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oosterman, Mirjam & Schuengel, Carlo & Wim Slot, N. & Bullens, Ruud A.R. & Doreleijers, Theo A.H., 2007. "Disruptions in foster care: A review and meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 53-76, January.
    2. Gil Llario, Mª Dolores & Ceccato, Roberta & Molero Mañes, Rosa & Ballester Arnal, Rafael, 2013. "Socioemotional characteristics of minors in foster care: A comparison between the estimation of parents, teachers and children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 664-667.
    3. Yoon, Susan & Yoon, Dalhee & Wang, Xiafei & Tebben, Erin & Lee, Guijin & Pei, Fei, 2017. "Co-development of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems during early childhood among child welfare-involved children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 455-465.
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    6. Bernedo, Isabel M. & Salas, María D. & García-Martín, Miguel A. & Fuentes, María J., 2012. "Teacher assessment of behavior problems in foster care children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 615-621.
    7. Lloyd, E. Christopher & Barth, Richard P., 2011. "Developmental outcomes after five years for foster children returned home, remaining in care, or adopted," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(8), pages 1383-1391, August.
    8. Zorc, Catherine S. & O'Reilly, Amanda L.R. & Matone, Meredith & Long, Jin & Watts, Caroline L. & Rubin, David, 2013. "The relationship of placement experience to school absenteeism and changing schools in young, school-aged children in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 826-833.
    9. Vinnerljung, Bo & Hjern, Anders, 2011. "Cognitive, educational and self-support outcomes of long-term foster care versus adoption. A Swedish national cohort study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 1902-1910, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Negård, Inger-Lise & Skjær Ulvik, Oddbjørg & Oterholm, Inger, 2020. "You and me and all of us: The significance of belonging in a continual community of children in long-term care in Norway," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    2. Kelly, Cara & Thornton, Anthony & Anthony, Elizabeth K. & Krysik, Judy, 2021. "“Love. Stability. Boundaries.” Kinship perspectives of social-emotional well-being of youth residing in out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    3. McLaren, Helen & Patmisari, Emi & Jones, Michelle, 2024. "Professional quality of life of Australian Mockingbird FamilyTM foster carers: Compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    4. Jacobsen, Heidi & Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Bergsund, Hans Bugge, 2020. "Foster children’s cognitive functioning: A follow-up comparison study at 8 years of age," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).

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