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More contact with biological parents predicts shorter length of time in out of home care and mental health of youth in the child welfare system

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  • McWey, Lenore M.
  • Cui, Ming

Abstract

Foster care is intended to be a temporary placement option. Viewing permanency as central to child well-being, current U.S. policies aim to limit the length of time a child spends in out-of-home foster placements. There is little recent research, however, on predictors of length of time in out-of-home care. The purposes of this study were to test if more frequent contact with biological parents predicted less time in out-of-home care, and determine if more frequent contact with biological parents was associated with better mental health outcomes using three waves of data from the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being II, a U.S. nationally representative dataset of youth involved with the child welfare system. Findings revealed that more frequent contact with biological mothers was associated with fewer cumulative days in out-of-home care. Among covariates, older child age was related to longer stays in out-of-home care, and Black youth experienced more cumulative days in out-of-home care compared to White youth. Links between frequency of contact and youth mental health outcomes also were tested, and more frequent contact with both mothers and fathers was associated with lower mental health symptoms. Being separated from siblings also was associated with more mental health problems, and compared with foster care, being in kinship care was negatively associated with mental health problems. A discussion of the findings in light of U.S. polices and best-practices is included.

Suggested Citation

  • McWey, Lenore M. & Cui, Ming, 2021. "More contact with biological parents predicts shorter length of time in out of home care and mental health of youth in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:128:y:2021:i:c:s0190740921002401
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106164
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hoffman, Jill A. & Bunger, Alicia C. & Robertson, Hillary A. & Cao, Yiwen & West, Kristopher Y., 2016. "Child welfare caseworkers' perspectives on the challenges of addressing mental health problems in early childhood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 148-155.
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    7. Becker, Marion A. & Jordan, Neil & Larsen, Rebecca, 2007. "Predictors of successful permanency planning and length of stay in foster care: The role of race, diagnosis and place of residence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(8), pages 1102-1113, August.
    8. Akin, Becci A., 2011. "Predictors of foster care exits to permanency: A competing risks analysis of reunification, guardianship, and adoption," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 999-1011, June.
    9. Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson & McWey, Lenore M. & Helfrich, Christine M., 2013. "Sibling relationships and internalizing symptoms of youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 1071-1077.
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    1. Gerdts-Andresen, Tina & Valen-Sendstad Andersen, Marie & Aarum Hansen, Heidi, 2024. "The child’s right to family life when living in public care: how to facilitate contact that preserves, strengthens, and develops family ties," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    2. Gable, Sara & Holliday, Amelia & Zars, Jonathon & Simelus, Sonita & Nickell, Angela & Anderson, Bradd, 2024. "Intergenerational conflict, contact with biological parents, and child functioning in kinship caregiver families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    3. Davies, Kate & Ross, Nicola & Cocks, Jessica & Foote, Wendy, 2023. "Family inclusion in child protection: Knowledge, power and resistance," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    4. Zilberstein, Karen, 2023. "Every state for itself: A comparison of states’ visitation guidelines with research studies," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    5. Ruiz-Romero, Kevin J. & Salas, María D. & Fernández-Baena, Francisco Javier & González-Pasarín, Lucía, 2022. "Is contact with birth parents beneficial to children in non-kinship foster care? A scoping review of the evidence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    6. 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).

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