Predictors of Reduction in Symptoms of Depression for Children and Adolescents in Foster Care

The Needs of Foster Children and How to Satisfy Them: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Attentive and sensitive parenting is important for satisfying the needs for self-esteem, coping skills and self-regulation skills (Fernandez 2008 ; Gallegos et al 2011 ; Mitchell et al 2010 ; Schofield and Beek 2005 , 2009 ; Stoner et al 2015 ). Specifically, children in foster care need the people around them to understand their personal history; so that their environment can be sensitive to the signals they convey (Steenbakkers et al 2016 ).…”

“…Specifically, children in foster care need the people around them to understand their personal history; so that their environment can be sensitive to the signals they convey (Steenbakkers et al 2016 ). This is important because a better adjustment to trauma has been indicated as a good predictor for reduction in depression (Stoner et al 2015 ). In order to satisfy the need for autonomy and individuality, children should be included in the decisions about their care (Mason 2008 ).…”

“…Around 6% of children in foster care seem to experience a complex combination of medical and mental health problems (Yampolskaya et al 2014 ). The mental health issues mentioned are related to dealing with separation and loss (Chernoff et al 1994 ; Nathanson and Tzioumi 2007 ), exposure to drugs and alcohol (Chernoff et al 1994 ), emotion or behavior regulation (Arora et al 2014 ; Bell et al 2015 ; Bellamy et al 2010 ; Fernandez 2008 ; Goemans et al 2015 ; Guibord et al 2011 ; McMillen et al 2004 ; McNicholas et al 2011 ; Ogg et al 2015 ; Ringeisen et al 2008 ; Rodrigues 2004 ; Steele and Buchi 2008 ; Stoner et al 2015 ; Sullivan and van Zyl 2008 ; Yampolskaya et al 2014 ), sexual abuse or inappropriate sexual behavior (Chernoff et al 1994 ; McMillen et al 2004 ), self-harm and violent behavior (Chernoff et al 1994 ; McNicholas et al 2011 ) and substance abuse (Gabrielli et al 2016 ; Guibord et al 2011 ). Mental health problems are positively correlated with the child’s current age, the age at the time of placement, maltreatment history and the number of placements (Cantos et al 1996 ; Gabrielli et al 2016 ; Maaskant et al 2014 ; Shin 2005 ; Steele and Buchi 2008 ).…”

Ethnic Identity and Psychosocial Outcomes in Foster Care Youth

“…Also, youth who identified as Black had lower scores on life satisfaction than those youth who identified as White. Research has found that youth in the foster care system are commonly diagnosed with depression (Stoner et al, 2015). While depression in foster care has been examined, very few studies have examined placement type (i.e.…”

“…A significant main effect was found for depressive symptoms on the placement of the adolescent, with youth who had been placed in unmatched home reporting more depressive symptoms than those placed in matched homes. Depression is one of the prevalent diagnosed disorders for children in the foster care systems (Stoner, Leon, & Fuller, 2015). Being removed from one's home and placed in a home with someone of a different background would be traumatic.…”