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Children's wellbeing in care: Evidence from a longitudinal study of outcomes

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  • Fernandez, Elizabeth

Abstract

This paper reports research on outcomes of long term foster care from an eight year longitudinal study of foster care placements. Using a prospective, repeated measures design and a multi-informant approach, the outcomes of 59 children were assessed at two yearly intervals as they progressed in placements. Data from personal interviews with children over 8Â years and all caseworkers highlight outcomes in the spheres of family and social relationships and emotional and behavioural development highlighting the factors and constraints impinging on outcomes. Overall findings from the study indicate that alongside concerns related to placement stability, academic achievement and emotional and behavioural development, children and young people in this sample displayed positive outcomes in domains such as family and social relationships and pro-social behaviours as they progressed over time in their care placements. Intervention strategies to promote resilient outcomes and facilitate children's care experience are discussed outlining implications for evidence based 'best practice' and directions for outcome-based research with children in foster care.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernandez, Elizabeth, 2009. "Children's wellbeing in care: Evidence from a longitudinal study of outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(10), pages 1092-1100, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:31:y:2009:i:10:p:1092-1100
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fernandez, Elizabeth, 1999. "Pathways in substitute care: Representation of placement careers of children using event history analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 177-216, March.
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    1. Abdullah, Alhassan & Cudjoe, Ebenezer & Manful, Esmeranda, 2018. "Barriers to childcare in Children's Homes in Ghana: Caregivers' solutions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 450-456.
    2. Jacobsen, Heidi & Bergsund, Hans Bugge & Wentzel-Larsen, Tore & Smith, Lars & Moe, Vibeke, 2020. "Foster children are at risk for developing problems in social-emotional functioning: A follow-up study at 8 years of age," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    3. Rikuya Hosokawa & Toshiki Katsura, 2018. "Role of Parenting Style in Children’s Behavioral Problems through the Transition from Preschool to Elementary School According to Gender in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Marshall, Sheila K. & Quinn, Ashley & Charles, Grant & Jamieson, Ally, 2020. "Going beyond “Who” and “How”: Expanding understanding of foster coparenting through the application of contextual action theory and action-project method," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    5. Luu, Betty & Wright, Amy Conley & Cashmore, Judith, 2020. "Sibling networks of children adopted from out-of-home care in New South Wales, Australia," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    6. Elizabeth Fernandez, 2014. "Child Protection and Vulnerable Families: Trends and Issues in the Australian Context," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-24, October.
    7. Sattler, Kierra M.P. & Herd, Toria & Font, Sarah A., 2023. "Foster care, kinship care, and the transition to adulthood: Do child welfare system processes explain differences in outcomes?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    8. Vanderfaeillie, Johan & Van Holen, Frank & Vanschoonlandt, Femke & Robberechts, Marijke & Stroobants, Tim, 2013. "Children placed in long-term family foster care: A longitudinal study into the development of problem behavior and associated factors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 587-593.
    9. Christiansen, Øivin & Havik, Toril & Anderssen, Norman, 2010. "Arranging stability for children in long-term out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(7), pages 913-921, July.
    10. Foussiakda, Agino Cécilia & Kasherwa, Amani Clovis, 2020. "The challenges affecting foster care in a “failed-state” context: Case of the SEDI child protection network in South-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    11. Jaudes, Paula K. & Weil, Lindsey E.G. & Prior, Jennifer M. & Sharp, Douglas P & Holzberg, Mark & McClelland, Gary M., 2016. "Wellbeing of children and adolescents with special health care needs in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 276-283.
    12. Tregeagle, Susan & Cox, Elizabeth & Forbes, Catherine & Humphreys, Cathy & O'Neill, Cas, 2011. "Worker time and the cost of stability," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1149-1158, July.
    13. Maclean, Miriam & Lima, Fernando & O'Donnell, Melissa, 2024. "Investigating positive reading trajectories among children who experienced out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).

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