Abstract
Most of studies with children in residential care centers in Brazil emphasize the problems associated with being in care but few investigate the well-being of these children. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate and compare the subjective well-being of children in residential care centers versus those from the general population living with their families. Subjects were two hundred and eighteen children, ages 8 to 12 (M = 10.06; SD = 1.40). Half of them are under residential care and half are living with their families. Discriminant analysis was performed using as independent variables the seven PWI-SC items, the eight GDSI domains and the OLS single-item scale, and as dependent variable the group in which the children belong (foster care/families). Results indicate that all items significantly discriminated towards children living with their families. We argue that differences may be related to transitions and life experiences prior to institutionalization. Children with fewer changes manage to maintain their social bonds and find greater consistency in care, which seems to influence their sense of well-being. We conclude that the promotion of well-being must aim at forms of care involving greater stability.
Highlights
Studies with children in residential care in Brazil have been the focus of attention in recent years
Considering the importance of understanding the situation of children in care and the extent to which the institution of care itself is a context of healthy development, the aim of this study is to investigate the subjective well-being of children in residential care and compare it with the well-being of children residing with their families that probably have not suffered neglect, abandonment or abuse
This study aimed to investigate the subjective well-being of institutionalized children and compare it with that of children living with their families
Summary
Studies with children in residential care in Brazil have been the focus of attention in recent years. Most of the literature emphasizes the problems associated with residential care and few investigate subjective well-being of these children. The subjective well-being is a psychosocial component of quality of life, and might be understood as a result of the evaluation that people make of their overall lives, taking certain areas into account (Casas, 2011; Diener, 2012). These assessments have two main components, one cognitive and another affective, that are inter-related and express beliefs and desires that individuals have over their lives. Material goods (housing structure, internet, quality clothes to go to school) and cultural objects (books, newspapers) to which they have access, the relationship they establish with adults and the stability experienced seems to influence the children’s well-being (Casas & Bello, 2012; Montserrat, Casas, Malo & Bertran, 2011)
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