Risk and protective factors of psychosocial development in children in different residential care settings need to be further studied internationally, in order to develop working methods for social and health care services. Standardized methods of the CBCL, TRF, and CGAS, were used to evaluate psychosocial functioning of children in children's homes in Finland. Further, data on sociodemographic situations and traumatic events in their lives were assembled. The percentage of behavioural and emotional problems within clinical or borderline range in the different ratings was 55-80%. Combined traumatization, sexual abuse, school difficulties, male sex, older age (> 11 years) and older age at first and on-going placement (> 7 years), as well as difficulties in relationships with parents are likely to be associated with more severe behaviour problems and lower general functioning. The results of this study show that children and adolescents in social service residential settings are a highly vulnerable group and that these children have extensive mental health needs.
The aim of this cross-sectional study is to report the self-destructive and suicidal behavior of 98 children and adolescents in child welfare institutions. The children were evaluated using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and questionnaires about suicidal and violent behavior, filled in by the child's key worker. Thirty-two per cent of the sample had presented suicidal thoughts, threats or suicide attempts during the previous 6 months. Suicidality was associated with low general functioning level (CGAS<61), self-mutilating behavior and violence. Furthermore, suicidal children had significantly higher CBCL total, externalizing, internalizing, anxious-depressive and aggressive scores. Children with suicide attempts (8% of the sample) had a significantly higher number of different types of traumatic experiences before the placement and higher somatization syndrome scores compared to children with suicidal ideation or non-suicidal children.
problems and sexual abuse in residential care in children's homes. Nord J Psychiatry 1997;51:251-258. Oslo. ISSN 0803-
9488.Behavior problems of 109 children and adolescents in residential care in children's homes in Finland were examined using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Forty-three per cent of children had total CBCL scores within clinical range. Boys were significantly more disturbed than girls, and a history of sexual abuse and no contact with parents were related to clinical range functioning. Furthermore, special school form and s ial children's home were associated with more serious behavior problems. A group oi%ost disturbed children had been referred to psychotherapy. The implications of these results for clinical practice are discussed. 0 Behavior problems, Child sexual abuse, Residential care. Raija Hukkanen. M.D.. LK Kunnallissairaalantie 36. FIN-20810 Turku. Finland; Accepted: 3 February 1997. Nord J Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Montreal on 12/01/14 For personal use only. Nord J Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Montreal on 12/01/14 For personal use only.
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