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The Placement of Children in Need of Out-of-Home Care: Forms of Care and Differences in Attachment Security and Behavioral Problems in the Italian Context

Author

Listed:
  • Rosalinda Cassibba

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy
    Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Caterina Balenzano

    (Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy
    Department of Political Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Fabiola Silletti

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Gabrielle Coppola

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy
    Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Alessandro Costantini

    (Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy
    Department of Political Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Stefania Giorgio

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy
    Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Alessandro Taurino

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Charissa S. L. Cheah

    (Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA)

  • Pasquale Musso

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy
    Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

The current paper investigated differences in secure attachment levels and behavioral problems among four groups of children in out-of-home care in Italy: closed adoption (child and birth parents not in contact following adoption), open adoption (child and birth parents still in contact after placement), foster care (child living temporarily with relatives or unrelated foster parents) and institutional care (child in residential care for large groups of children). One hundred and thirty children aged 10–19 were included in this study. The Attachment Interview for Childhood and Adolescence and the Achenbach Youth Self-Report were employed to measure participants’ secure attachment levels and behavioral problems. Both a multivariate analysis of covariance and measured variable path analysis were performed. Age, gender and time elapsed between the request for child protection and placement on out-of-home care were used as covariates. The results showed that adolescents in closed adoption had higher secure attachment scores than those in foster care and institutional care, while adolescents in open adoption scored significantly higher on problem behaviors than those in the other out-of-home care groups. Findings were discussed in terms of limitations and implications for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosalinda Cassibba & Caterina Balenzano & Fabiola Silletti & Gabrielle Coppola & Alessandro Costantini & Stefania Giorgio & Alessandro Taurino & Charissa S. L. Cheah & Pasquale Musso, 2023. "The Placement of Children in Need of Out-of-Home Care: Forms of Care and Differences in Attachment Security and Behavioral Problems in the Italian Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:23:p:7111-:d:1287520
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Balenzano, Caterina & Coppola, Gabrielle & Cassibba, Rosalinda & Moro, Giuseppe, 2018. "Pre-adoption adversities and adoptees' outcomes: The protective role of post-adoption variables in an Italian experience of domestic open adoption," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 307-318.
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