Children placed in long-term family foster care: A longitudinal study into the development of problem behavior and associated factors

Johan Vanderfaeillie, Frank Van Holen, Femke Vanschoonlandt, Marijke Robberechts and Tim Stroobants

Children and Youth Services Review, 2013, vol. 35, issue 4, 587-593

Abstract: Due to prior experiences of trauma and abuse, many foster children have behavioral problems. The placement of the child in a family foster home is expected to reduce the behavioral problems. However, this expectation is seldom met and mostly behavioral problems increase or remain stable during placement. Research on the development of behavioral problems in foster children is scarce. Moreover, most of the research results are situated on a group level, which obscures the development of problem behavior on a case level. This study investigated the development of problem behavior of 49 foster children on a case level and the association of global, contextual, familial and child factors with the increase or decrease of problem behavior. Over a two year period 18 foster children had more, 23 just as much and 8 less problem behavior. An increase was associated with the use of more negative parenting strategies by the foster mothers. A decrease was related to the use of supportive parenting. Support of foster parents aiming at reducing the use of negative discipline practices and promoting the use of supportive parenting may have a positive effect on the development of foster children.

Keywords: Family foster care; Behavioral problems; Longitudinal research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:35:y:2013:i:4:p:587-593

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.12.012

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