The Predictors of Unsuccessful Transition to Foster Care

Abstract

The placement movements of 235 children entering foster care over a 12-month period were followed up 4 months after referral into care. Baseline and follow-up measures of the 170 children who were still in care at follow-up were also compared. Results indicated that adolescents with mental health or behavioural problems were the least likely to achieve placement stability or to display improved psychological adjustment in care. In fact, unsatisfactory transition to foster care was found to be so prevalent among these children that conventional foster family care should be considered unsuitable for them. The paper concludes that there is an urgent need for a wider range of alternative care options for the adolescent population.

Factors Affecting Foster Care Breakdown in Spain

“…This reinforces the idea of the latter's higher stability (Farmer, 2009). The children's characteristics, specifically, behavior and academic problems, were unanimously acknowledged in the investigation as one of the main reasons for breakdown (Barber et al, 2001;Barth & Berry 1988;Berridge, 1997;Cooper et al, 1987;Farmer et al, 2005;James et al, 2004;Newton et al, 2000;Palmer, 1996;Pardeck, 1984;Proch & Taber 1985;Sallnäs et al, 2004;Stone & Stone, 1983;Widom, 1991). In our results, this is confirmed, but only in the case of foster care, because in kinship care, this is not a reason for breakdown.…”

“…Barber et al (2001) suggest that this result may be modulated by other factors such as age and behavior, whereas Kalland and Sinkkonen (2001) found no differences among children as a function of the kind of maltreatment suffered. However, Stone and Stone (1983) found that children who suffer chronic problems in their family setting have a lower probability of successful placement than those who experience acute problems.…”

“…Likewise, there is evidence that behavior problems, particularly aggressiveness, cause higher levels of breakdown (Barber, Delfabbro, & Cooper, 2001;Barth & Berry, 1988;Berridge, 1997;Cooper, Peterson, & Meier, 1987;Farmer, Lipscome, & Moyers, 2005;James et al, 2004;Newton et al, 2000;Palmer, 1996;Pardeck, 1984;Proch & Taber, 1985;Sallnäs et al, 2004;Stone & Stone, 1983;Widom, 1991). Behavior problems seem to be the most robust predictor of all those analyzed in foster children.…”

Changes in Placement among Children in Foster Care: A Longitudinal Study of Child and Case Influences

“…Research shows a relation between multiple placement changes and negative developmental outcomes for children. Children who experience multiple placement changes are more likely to exhibit attachment difficulties (Palmer 1996), externalizing behavior problems (Pardeck 1984;Fanshel, Finch, and Grundy 1989;Palmer 1996;Fernandez 1999;Barber, Delfabbro, and Cooper 2001), and internalizing behavior problems (Newton et al 2000). Placement changes are associated with disruption in educational settings and decreased academic performance (Zima et al 2000).…”

“…For example, findings suggest that older children are more likely to change placements than younger children (Barber et al 2001;Smith et al 2001;Wulczyn et al 2003;James 2004). Gender effects usually are minimal (e.g., Newton et al 2000) or disappear when other factors, such as child behavior problems, are controlled (Palmer 1996); but other studies find that girls are more likely to change placement settings than boys in specialized foster care and residential settings (Smith et al 2001;Wulczyn et al 2003).…”