Follow-up of children and adolescents in residential care in children's homes

Abstract

The present study reports changes in the behaviour and emotional symptoms of 53 children placed in children's home care during a 2.5-year follow-up period, using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) filled out by the staff members. Almost three-quarters of the children and adolescents in care showed impairment in the CBCL total scores during the period. Externalizing symptoms such as aggressivity, delinquency, and attention problems were significantly increased during the period. Twenty-five per cent of the children deteriorated from normal range to clinical range. Placement under the age of 7 years and a history of individual psychotherapy were related to a better prognosis for changes in CBCL mean scores. The present study suggests that many children with long-term placements in children's homes are in need of specially planned treatment for psychologic and social problems.

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