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Sattler KMP, Herd T, Font SA. Foster Care, Kinship Care, and the Transition to Adulthood: Do Child Welfare System Processes Explain Differences in Outcomes? CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW 2023; 153:107098. [PMID: 37601236 PMCID: PMC10434834 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Despite longstanding policy preferences favoring kinship care placements over non-relative family foster care placements, research findings on the benefits of kinship care vary by measurement, assessed outcome, follow-up period, and other study design elements. We examined early adulthood outcomes-incarceration and teen parenthood-among WI youth who entered foster care in early-to-middle childhood (ages 5-10). Results suggest that initial placement in kin or nonrelative kinship care was not significantly related to imprisonment or teenage parenthood directly; however, first placement in kinship care is associated with fewer moves, longer duration in care, and a higher probability of a new maltreatment investigation, which in turn is related to long-term outcomes. Further, a new maltreatment investigation was an important mediator and was significantly associated with a higher probability of incarceration and teenage parenthood. This study provides mechanisms on the ways in which first placement setting influences incarceration and teenage parenthood. Findings provide important policy and practice implications on how children's experiences in foster care, based on their initial placement type, can lead to maladaptive outcomes.
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Ayaya S, DeLong A, Embleton L, Ayuku D, Sang E, Hogan J, Kamanda A, Atwoli L, Makori D, Ott MA, Ombok C, Braitstein P. Prevalence, incidence and chronicity of child abuse among orphaned, separated, and street-connected children and adolescents in western Kenya: What is the impact of care environment? CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 139:104920. [PMID: 33485648 PMCID: PMC8289926 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of different types of care environment on orphaned and separated children and adolescents' (OSCA) experiences of abuse in sub-Saharan Africa is uncertain. OBJECTIVE Our two primary objectives were 1) to compare recent child abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual) between OSCA living in institutional environments and those in family-based care; and 2) to understand how recent child abuse among street-connected children and youth compared to these other vulnerable youth populations. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING This project followed a cohort of OSCA in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya (2009-2019). This analysis includes 2393 participants aged 18 years and below, 1017 from institutional environments, 1227 from family-based care, and 95 street-connected participants. METHODS The primary outcome of interest was recent abuse. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of recent abuse at baseline, follow-up, and chronically for each abuse domain and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) between care environments, controlling for multiple factors. RESULTS In total, 47 % of OSCA reported ever experiencing any kind of recent abuse at baseline and 54 % in follow-up. Compared to those in family-based care, street-connected participants had a much higher reported prevalence of all types of recent abuse at baseline (AOR: 5.01, 95 % CI: 2.89, 9.35), in follow-up (AOR: 5.22, 95 % CI: 2.41, 13.98), and over time (AOR: 3.44, 95 % CI: 1.93, 6.45). OSCA in institutional care were no more likely than those in family-based care of reporting any recent abuse at baseline (AOR: 0.85 95 % CI: 0.59-1.17) or incident abuse at follow-up (AOR: 0.91, 95 % CI: 0.61-1.47). CONCLUSION OSCA, irrespective of care environment, reported high levels of recent physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Street-connected participants had the highest prevalence of all kinds of abuse. OSCA living in institutional care did not experience more child abuse than those living in family-based care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ayaya
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya; Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Allison DeLong
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lonnie Embleton
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - David Ayuku
- Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Edwin Sang
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Joseph Hogan
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Lukoye Atwoli
- Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya; Aga Khan University Medical College, East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dominic Makori
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Mary A Ott
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Caroline Ombok
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Paula Braitstein
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya; Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya.
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Hallett N, Garstang J, Taylor J. Kinship Care and Child Protection in High-Income Countries: A Scoping Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2023; 24:632-645. [PMID: 34342250 PMCID: PMC10009493 DOI: 10.1177/15248380211036073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Kinship care is a global phenomenon with a long history, which in high-income countries (HICs) at least, is being increasingly formalized through legislation and policy. There are many benefits to kinship care, including improved child mental health and well-being when compared to other types of out-of-home care. Despite this, kinship care is not without its risks with a lack of support and training for kinship carers putting children at an increased risk of abuse and neglect. This scoping review was conducted across 11 databases to explore the breadth and depth of the literature about abuse and neglect within kinship care in HICs and to provide initial indications about the relationship between kinship care and abuse. Of the 2,308 studies initially identified, 26 met the inclusion criteria. A majority of studies were from the United States, and most used case review methods. From the included studies, rates of re-abuse, and particularly rates of physical and sexual abuse, appear to be lower in kinship care settings when compared to other out-of-home care settings, but rates of neglect are often higher. This review has demonstrated that a small but significant number of children living in kinship care experience neglect or abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nutmeg Hallett
- University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Nutmeg Hallett, University of Birmingham,
Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
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Francis JKR, Andresen JA, Guzman A, McLeigh JD, Kloster HM, Rosenthal SL. Research Participation of Minor Adolescents in Foster Care. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2021; 34:190-195. [PMID: 33333259 PMCID: PMC8005475 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE In this study we evaluated published studies about foster care to: (1) determine the types of data used; (2) describe the degree to which a sexual/reproductive health topic was addressed; and (3) describe the consent process. DESIGN Analysis of published literature. SETTING PubMed was searched using "foster care" for English articles published between January 1, 2017 and September 4, 2019. PARTICIPANTS None. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Articles were coded into 4 data source categories: primary, secondary, peripheral, or perspective data. Articles with a primary data source were coded for participant ages: only 9 years old and younger, 10- to 17-year-olds (minor adolescents), and only 18 years old and older. Articles using a secondary data source were coded for the source of the data registry. All articles were coded for presence of a sexual/reproductive health outcome. The primary data articles that included minor adolescents were coded for the study topic and consent process. RESULTS Of the 176 articles about foster care, 72/176 (41%) used primary data, 53/176 (30%) used secondary data, and 51/176 (29%) used peripheral/perspective data. Forty-eight of the primary data articles included minor adolescents. Secondary data sources included few national research surveys. Sexual/reproductive health outcomes were measured in 17 articles, 4 of which used primary data. The consent process for minor adolescents varied and had no consistent pattern across studies. CONCLUSION Research on best practices for consent processes and use of registries could be developed to increase research on sexual/reproductive health outcomes among adolescents in foster care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny K R Francis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Children's Health, Dallas, Texas.
| | - Jane A Andresen
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Alexis Guzman
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford Medicine, Stanford, California
| | | | - Heidi M Kloster
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Susan L Rosenthal
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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Helton JJ, Weaver NL. Unintentional child injury in child welfare placements. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2020; 99:104231. [PMID: 31726245 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child welfare professionals are charged with protecting children from non-accidental caregiving behaviors resulting in intentional injuries as well as environmental risks and parenting behaviors resulting in unintentional injuries. Yet little is known about unintentional injury prevalence and risk factors by child welfare placement type. OBJECTIVE To examine factors related to unintentional child injury requiring medical attention, including child welfare placement type, child behavioral problems, caregiver characteristics, and neighborhood factors. METHODS Data from the second and third wave of the 2010 National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II) were used. Stable child welfare placements between waves 2 and 3 included investigated biological, reunified, adopted, licensed and unlicensed kin, and nonkin foster homes. Logistic regression analysis modeled injury as a function of placement type while controlling for other covariates. Interaction effects between placement and child behavioral scores were also modeled. RESULTS Children with more behavioral problems were at greater odds of an injury (OR = 1.05, p < .01) compared to children with fewer behavioral problems. However, interaction models showed that children with more behavioral problems were at decreased odds of injury if living with unlicensed kin (OR = .91, p < .05), licensed kin (OR = .92, p < .001), or foster care (OR = .92, p < .001) compared to biological homes. CONCLUSION The absence of a behavioral problem was associated with higher risk of injury for children placed in foster care. More research is needed to better understand injury type, prevalence and specific risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse J Helton
- College of Public Health and Social Justice, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States.
| | - Nancy L Weaver
- College of Public Health and Social Justice, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Abstract
Maternal grandmothers invest more in childcare than paternal grandmothers. This bias is large where the expression of preferences is unconstrained by residential and lineage norms, and is detectable even where marriage removes women from their natal families. We maintain that the standard evolutionary explanation, paternity uncertainty, is incomplete, and present an expanded model incorporating effects of alloparents on the mother as well as on her children. Alloparenting lightens a mother's load and increases her residual nepotistic value: her expected fitness from later investments in personal reproduction and in her natal relatives. The mother's mother derives fitness from all such investments, whereas her mother-in-law gains only from further investment in children sired by her son, and thus has less incentive to assist the mother even if paternity is certain. This logic extends to kin other than grandmothers. We generate several hypotheses for future research.
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