Attachment, Development, and Mental Health in Abused and Neglected Preschool Children in Foster Care: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

A proper preparation for foster parents to care for abused and neglected children includes effective training and initial diagnostics in order to plan individual treatment. Hence, a basic knowledge about the main psychosocial and developmental problems associated with abuse and neglect and their prevalence in foster children is needed. For this purpose, a systematical literature review and a series of meta-analyses were conducted. A total of 25 studies reporting data on development ( n = 4,033), mental health ( n = 726), and attachment ( n = 255) of foster children in preschool age met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analyses indicated prevalence rates of approximately 40% for developmental, mental health problems, and insecure attachment. Rates of disorganized attachment were estimated to 22%. These findings outline the necessity of an initial trauma-oriented diagnostics and trainings for foster parents that address foster children's development, mental health, and disorganized attachment.

A meta-analytic review of parenting interventions in foster care and adoption

“…However, this previous meta-analysis did not specifically focus on foster care or adoption populations, and if more intervention studies were available for foster care and/or adoption samples, a significant overall effect of parenting interventions on attachment security may emerge. In addition, of the 6 studies included in the current meta-analysis on attachment security, only Juffer et al (2005) used the Strange Situation Procedure (Ainsworth et al, 1978), which enables coding of attachment disorganization, which is more prevalent among foster and adopted children compared to children living with and being raised by their biological parents (Van den Dries et al, 2009; Vasileva & Petermann, 2018). The four other studies used the Attachment Q-Sort (Baker et al, 2015; Spieker et al, 2012) or the Parent Attachment Diary (Dozier et al, 2009; Fisher & Kim, 2007), which do not measure disorganized attachment.…”

“…An insecure and/or disorganized attachment relationship increases the risk of developing behavior problems and psychopathology later in life (Fearon, Bakermans-Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, Lapsley, & Roisman, 2010; Groh, Roisman, van IJzendoorn, Bakermans-Kranenburg, & Fearon, 2012; Sroufe, Egeland, Carlson, & Collins, 2005; van IJzendoorn, Schuengel, & Bakermans-Kranenburg, 1999), whereas a secure attachment relationship promotes a more optimal social development, as well as adaptability and resilience in children (Groh et al, 2014; Sroufe et al, 2005). Meta-analytic results show that foster and adopted children are more likely to develop an insecure disorganized attachment relationship with their new parents than children living with and being raised by their biological parents (Van den Dries et al, 2009; Vasileva & Petermann, 2018), and they are more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems (Juffer & van IJzendoorn, 2005).…”

Psychosocial screening and monitoring for children in foster care: Psychometric properties of the Brief Assessment Checklist in a Dutch population study

“…Exact numbers differ across studies, but proportions of foster children with clinically significant mental health problems have been reported to be over one-third ( Maaskant, Van Rooij, & Hermanns, 2014 ), almost half ( Burns et al, 2004 ) or even over half ( Tarren-Sweeney & Hazell, 2006 ). A recent meta-analysis reported that approximately 40% of the foster children show mental health problems ( Vasileva & Petermann, 2016 ). These high numbers suggest a strong need for mental health services for foster children.…”

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Preschool Children in Foster Care: The Influence of Placement and Foster Family Environment

“…As yet, no scientific knowledge exists about posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in the vulnerable population of preschool children in foster care. They have often experienced traumatic events prior to their placement (most commonly physical abuse; Vasileva & Petermann, ) which suggests a high prevalence of PTSS. They are also exposed to the specific impact of placement conditions and of the new foster family, which may influence the way they cope with trauma.…”