Over three decades of longitudinal research on the development of foster children: a meta-analysis

Over three decades of longitudinal research on the development of foster children: a meta-analysis

Authors
Goemans, A. van Geel, A. Vedder, P.
Year
2015
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect
Volume
42
Pages
121-34
Large numbers of children over the world experience foster care each year. How best to satisfy their developmental needs and how to avoid placement breakdowns and negative consequences of foster care are important challenges. In this study, a series of four meta-analyses is performed to examine the longitudinal developmental outcomes of children in foster care. The focus is on adaptive functioning and behavioral outcomes. A literature search identified 11 studies suitable for inclusion in the meta-analysis on adaptive functioning (N=1,550), 24 studies for the meta-analysis on internalizing problems (N=1,984), 21 studies for the meta-analysis on externalizing problems (N=1,729) and 25 studies for the meta-analysis on total behavior problems (N=2,523). No overall improvement or deterioration was found for adaptive functioning. However, studies with a timespan longer than one year and studies with larger sample sizes showed development toward more negative adaptive functioning than studies with shorter timespans or smaller samples. No overall increases or decreases in internalizing, externalizing or total behavior problems were found. Based on these results, it is concluded that foster care does not negatively or positively affect foster children's developmental trajectories. Given that many children enter foster care with problems, this is a worrying situation. Further longitudinal research to find the factors necessary for improving foster children's developmental chances is recommended. Furthermore, routine screening and targeted foster-care interventions are adviseable to ensure that all children, who cannot be raised by their own parents, receive the support conducive to their positive development. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Type of intervention

Treatment and Child Welfare Interventions

Intervention

Psychosocial Treatments

Fosterhomes and Emergency Placement Foster Care

Age group

Infants and Toddlers (0-2 years)

Preschool Aged Children (3-5 years)

School Aged Children (6-12 years)

Adolescents (13-18 years)

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