Disentangling the effect of out-of-home care on child mental health |
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| Institution: | 1. Dundalk Institute of Technology, Co., Louth, Ireland;2. Tusla, Child & Family Agency, Ireland;3. School of Social Work & Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland;1. School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Vanier Hall, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Room 6021, Ottawa, Ontario K1N6N5, Canada;2. School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Vanier Hall, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Room 4023, Ottawa, Ontario K1N6N5, Canada;1. Evolve Therapeutic Services, Child and Youth Mental Health Services, Gold Coast Hospital & Health Service, Level 5, Southport Health Precinct, 16-30 High Street, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia;2. University of Queensland, K Floor, Mental Health Centre, Royal Brisbane & Women''s Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4006, Australia;3. Evolve Therapeutic Services, Child and Youth Mental Health Services, Children''s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, 289 Wardell Street, Enoggera, Qld 4051, Australia;4. Evolve Therapeutic Services, Child and Youth Mental Health Services, Metro South Health, 12/3-19 University Drive, Meadowbrook, Qld 4131, Australia;5. Evolve Therapeutic Services, Child and Youth Mental Health Services, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, 108 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba, Qld 4557, Australia |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundChildren in out-of-home care are consistently found to have poor mental health compared to children in the general population. However, UK research has so far failed to disentangle the impact of the care system on children’s mental health outcomes from the effects of the adverse circumstances that led to their admission to care.ObjectiveThis research investigated the association between care placement and the presence of child mental health problems after controlling for children’s pre-care experiences. It also identified factors associated with mental health problems among children in care.Participants and SettingThe sample comprised three groups of children involved with child welfare services due to maltreatment, including children in out-of-home care (n = 122), reunified children (n = 82) and those who had never been in care (n = 159).MethodsThe mental health of the children in the three groups was compared, using information collected from their parents/foster carers and social workers.ResultsThe odds of a child in out-of-home care having a mental health problem were not significantly higher than those of a child who had never been in care (AOR = 1.24; p = 0.462). However, the odds of a child in out-of-home care having reactive attachment disorder (RAD) were significantly higher than those of a child who had never been in care (AOR=1.92; p = 0.032).ConclusionsThese findings make an important contribution to international debates about whether placing children in care is beneficial or detrimental to their wellbeing, and highlight a range of inter-linking factors associated with the mental health of children in out-of-home care. |
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| Keywords: | Child mental health Child outcomes Child abuse and neglect Out-of-home care |
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