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Sibling relationships and internalizing symptoms of youth in foster care

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  • Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson
  • McWey, Lenore M.
  • Helfrich, Christine M.

Abstract

Compared to the sibling literature of the general population, little is known about sibling relationships of youth in foster care. The current study aimed to report on sibling relationships among youth in foster care, and investigate the potential protective nature of sibling relationships of those who have experienced trauma on the expression of internalizing symptoms among a nationally representative sample of 152 adolescents in foster care. Results indicated that the large majority of the sample was currently separated from their sibling. Of those who were not living with their sibling, nearly three quarters saw their sibling monthly or less frequently with one third of the sample reporting never having any contact with their sibling. In addition, bootstrapping methods were used to determine if sibling relationships mediated the effect of trauma on internalizing symptoms. Results indicated that a positive sibling relationship significantly mediated this relationship. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:35:y:2013:i:7:p:1071-1077
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.04.021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leathers, Sonya J., 2005. "Separation from siblings: Associations with placement adaptation and outcomes among adolescents in long-term foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 793-819, July.
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    4. Tarren-Sweeney, Michael & Hazell, Philip, 2005. "The mental health and socialization of siblings in care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 821-843, July.
    5. Herrick, Mary Anne & Piccus, Wendy, 2005. "Sibling connections: The importance of nurturing sibling bonds in the foster care system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 845-861, July.
    6. Unrau, Yvonne A. & Seita, John R. & Putney, Kristin S., 2008. "Former foster youth remember multiple placement moves: A journey of loss and hope," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(11), pages 1256-1266, November.
    7. Tarren-Sweeney, Michael, 2008. "Retrospective and concurrent predictors of the mental health of children in care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 1-25, January.
    8. Shlonsky, Aron & Bellamy, Jennifer & Elkins, Jennifer & Ashare, Caryn J., 2005. "The other kin: Setting the course for research, policy, and practice with siblings in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 697-716, July.
    9. Shlonsky, Aron & Elkins, Jennifer & Bellamy, Jennifer & Ashare, Caryn J., 2005. "Siblings in Foster Care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(7), pages 693-695, July.
    10. James, Sigrid & Monn, Amy R. & Palinkas, Lawrence A. & Leslie, Laurel K., 2008. "Maintaining sibling relationships for children in foster and adoptive placements," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 90-106, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jones, Christine & Henderson, Gillian & Woods, Ruth, 2019. "Relative strangers: Sibling estrangements experienced by children in out-of-home care and moving towards permanence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 226-235.
    2. Luu, Betty & Wright, Amy Conley & Cashmore, Judith, 2020. "Sibling networks of children adopted from out-of-home care in New South Wales, Australia," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    3. 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).
    4. Kothari, Brianne H. & Blakeslee, Jennifer & Miller, Rebecca, 2020. "Individual and interpersonal factors associated with psychosocial functioning among adolescents in foster care: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    5. Mota, Catarina Pinheiro & Matos, Paula Mena, 2015. "Does sibling relationship matter to self-concept and resilience in adolescents under residential care?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 97-106.
    6. Stevenson Wojciak, Armeda & Simpson, Jessica E. & Tomfohrde, Olivia & Wang, Guanyu, 2024. "Barriers and facilitators of sibling relationships of youth in foster care from an ecological perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    7. He, Amy S. & Lizano, Erica L. & Stahlschmidt, Mary Jo, 2021. "When doing the right thing feels wrong: Moral distress among child welfare caseworkers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    8. Waid, Jeffrey & Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson, 2017. "Evaluation of a multi-site program designed to strengthen relational bonds for siblings separated by foster care," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 69-77.
    9. Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson & McWey, Lenore M. & Waid, Jeffery, 2018. "Sibling relationships of youth in foster care: A predictor of resilience," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 247-254.
    10. West, Delphine & Luys, Evelien & Gypen, Laura & Van Holen, Frank & Vanderfaeillie, Johan, 2023. "Behavior problems in foster care, systematic review of associated factors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    11. Waid, Jeffrey & Wojciak, Armeda Stevenson, 2019. "Evaluating the impact of camp-based reunification on the resilience of siblings separated by foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 274-282.
    12. McCarthy, Lauren Pryce & Lee, Bethany R. & Schagrin, Judith & Loysen, Susan, 2020. "“Knowing that I wasn’t alone”: An evaluation of a therapeutic camp reunifying siblings in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    13. Novak, Abigail & Benedini, Kristen, 2020. "Sibling separation and self-reported offending: An examination of the association between sibling placement and offending behavior," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    14. Herbster, Julia M. & Ocasio, Kerrie, 2021. "The complex relationship between sibling contact and child and family well-being in foster care: An exploration of child and family functioning in a pre-permanency cohort," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    15. Richardson, Sabrina M. & Yates, Tuppett M., 2014. "Siblings in foster care: A relational path to resilience for emancipated foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P3), pages 378-388.

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