182728 Foster care disruption predicts posttraumatic stress symptomatology

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Lisa Benson, MS , Maternal & Child Health Program, Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Jacqueline Wallen, PhD , Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Edmond D. Shenassa, ScD , Maternal & Child Health Program, Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
We examined foster care placement disruptions and feelings of loss as predictors of behavior problems and posttraumatic stress symptomatology among 74 predominantly African American (81%) 6 to 15 year old children and their foster caregivers. Foster caregivers completed the Child Behavior Checklist and Parent Report of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms. Regression analyses revealed that number of foster placement disruptions predicts risk of posttraumatic stress symptomatology, but is independent of risk of internalizing or externalizing behaviors. Feelings of loss are independent of posttraumatic stress symptoms, internalizing behavior, and externalizing behavior. Implications of the findings for child welfare professionals and policy makers are discussed.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to: 1. Understand sources of traumatic stress faced by children in foster care; 2. Describe the developmental implications of foster care placement; 3. Describe barriers to resilience among children in foster care; 4. Identify interventions used to minimize the experience of posttraumatic stress by children in foster care.

Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Social Work

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have spent more than three years living with and studying foster children with posttraumatic stress. This research helped fulfill requirements for a Masters degree in family studies from the University of Maryland where I am currently pursuing a PhD in maternal and child health. I have received sufficient research training and firsthand experience with traumatized foster children to author this abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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