Relationship between type of placement and competencies and problem behavior of adolescents in long-term foster care

Abstract

Children entering foster care are a high risk population for socio-emotional, behavioral, and psychological problems. The problems may persist in spite of environmental improvements. The aim of the presented study was to explore the impact of placement type on competence and problem behavior of adolescents in long-term foster care. The study included all children deprived of parental care residing in Belgrade, Serbia, 12 to 17 years old, and living in out-of-home care for at least 1 year prior to study start. Competencies and problem behavior were assessed with Youth Self-Report (YSR). Children living in foster homes scored lower on competence and higher on all problem scales than children living in foster families. The type of placement had significant main effect on scores on activity competence and thought problem scales. Discussion of these results tried to explain observed differences in terms of differences in the family and placement histories of the studied groups.