Self-reported mental health problems and post-traumatic growth among children in Pakistan care homes

Abstract

ABSTRACTChildren in care experience multiple risk factors, particularly in low-income countries such as Pakistan. The aim was to establish rates of mental health problems and their relationship with posttraumatic growth, as reported by 132 children aged 9–19 years, living in three care homes in Pakistan. Children reported high rates of posttraumatic stress (70.45%) and common mental health symptoms (43.94%) within the clinical range, but also high levels of posttraumatic growth. These findings highlight the high levels of mental health needs among children in residential care, as well as the importance of understanding factors that promote their posttraumatic growth and resilience.