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Are children and adolescents in foster care at greater risk of mental health problems than their counterparts? A meta-analysis

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  • Dubois-Comtois, Karine
  • Bussières, Eve-Line
  • Cyr, Chantal
  • St-Onge, Janie
  • Baudry, Claire
  • Milot, Tristan
  • Labbé, Annie-Pier

Abstract

This meta-analysis aims at comparing mental health problems of children in foster care to those living with their biological parents while taking in consideration different protective and risk factors. Across 41 studies with a total of 72 independent effect sizes, a significant but small effect size was found between foster care placement and psychopathology (d = 0.19). Children in foster care showed higher levels of psychopathology compared to those from community samples or matched/at-risk samples. They were as likely to show mental health problems as maltreated children living with their biological parents or children from clinical samples. Results showed that foster children’s mental health problems also varied as a function of type of placement and study methodological characteristics. Being placed in kinship care, longer stay in the same foster home and fewer placement disruptions, all acted as protective factors limiting mental health problems of children in foster care.

Suggested Citation

  • Dubois-Comtois, Karine & Bussières, Eve-Line & Cyr, Chantal & St-Onge, Janie & Baudry, Claire & Milot, Tristan & Labbé, Annie-Pier, 2021. "Are children and adolescents in foster care at greater risk of mental health problems than their counterparts? A meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:127:y:2021:i:c:s0190740921001766
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106100
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    2. Radney, Angelise & Lee, Joyce Y. & Xu, Amy & Steinke, Hannah R. & Mengo, Cecilia & Johnson-Motoyama, Michelle, 2024. "Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare utilization among children in U.S. foster care: Recommendations to challenge the status quo based on a scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
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    4. Evans, Rhiannon & Cunningham, Emily & Stabler, Lorna & Vaughan, Rachael & Davies, Brittany & Cummings, Aimee & Boffey, Maria & Wooders, Charlotte & Mannay, Dawn, 2024. "Acceptability, feasibility and perceived effectiveness of online and remote mental health and wellbeing interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study with care-experienced young peop," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    5. Buisson, Camille & Poitras, Karine & Joyal, Christian C., 2024. "Risk of child sexual abuse: A mixed-methods analysis of judicial decisions in the Youth Court of Québec," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
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    7. Vish, Nora L. & Budig, Kimberly & Stolfi, Adrienne & Elliston, Rebecca & Thackeray, Jonathan D., 2024. "Predictors of mental health emergency department visits and psychiatric hospitalizations in children in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    8. Hoffmeister, Michael, 2024. "Inequitable access to relative caregiving: Implications of foster care regulations in Finland, New Zealand, and the United States," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    9. Rabinowitz, Jill A. & Kahn, Geoffrey D. & Felton, Julia W. & A. G. Drabick, Deborah & Wilcox, Holly C., 2023. "Correlates of informant discrepancies in self-harm among youth involved in child protective services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    10. Danner Touati, Camille & Miljkovitch, Raphaële & Elina Sirparanta, Aino & Ahmad, Sam & Toléon, Camille & Deborde, Anne-Sophie, 2023. "Suicidal risk among adult survivors of childhood maltreatment: The role of parent–child contact during out of home placement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    11. Rabassa, Judit & Fuentes-Peláez, Nuria, 2023. "Effectiveness of group intervention in improving kinship care families’ outcomes: A systematic review of group interventions aimed at kinship caregivers and youth in kinship care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).

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