Psychosocial Well-being of Adopted Foster Children

Psychosocial Well-being of Adopted Foster Children (pexels)

The psychosocial health of a foster child is the subject of research for many researchers. Significant research have been made to contribute in enhancing the understanding of the risk and protective factors that influence the longitudinal psychosocial well-being of adopted foster children.

In Simmel's (2007) research the focus lies on understanding the complex factors that influence the well-being of foster children who are adopted. The study illuminates the delicate interplay between risk and protective factors that shape these children's lives. It emphasizes the crucial need to recognize and address the specific needs of these demographics to secure their long-term welfare. Simmel underlines the significant role of stable and caring relationships in alleviating possible risks and fostering positive outcomes for adopted foster children.  

In the extensive research, Williams-Butler et al. (2018) focus their attention on African-American teenagers within the foster care system. This study centers on the concept of "relational permanence" and how it affects the mental health of these adolescents. The research emphasizes the critical role of stable relationships in cultivating positive psychological outcomes among African-American youngsters in foster care. This highlights the necessity of consistent and unwavering care-providing arrangements for this specific population.

Sullivan and van Zyl (2007) explore the healthcare needs of children who are placed in foster care, both mentally and physically. This study shed light on the diverse array of health-related challenges that are encountered by these children. It emphasizes the significance of a complete healthcare system that addresses both their physical and mental well-being. The research underscores the requirement of having customized healthcare approaches that acknowledge and respond to the emerging distinct needs of children in foster care.

A. Supportive Social Environment

Farruggia et al. (2006) conducted a comprehensive analysis that examined the perceived social environment and overall well-being of adolescents in foster care in comparison to a matched sample. This study offers valuable insights into how the social environment plays its part in shaping the well-being and adjustment of foster youth. It stresses the importance of a supportive and nurturing social context in promoting positive outcomes for adolescents in foster care. The research underscores the potential advantages of interventions aimed at enhancing the social environment for this specific population.   

II. Physical Well-being of Foster Children

The physical health is of utmost importance when the foster children have been the subject of research. Multiple researchers tends to explore the physical health of these demographics in order to enhance foster care.

Turney and Wildeman (2016) conducted a detailed study that examined the mental and physical health of children that has been placed in foster care. Their findings highlight the significant health disparities between the foster children and their peers. Notably, the foster children are more prone to chronic health conditions such as asthma and obesity. The study additionally emphasize on the great role of early life adversities and placement instabilities in contributing to these health disparities.

Ferrara et al. (2013) explored the specific health challenges faced by children placed in foster care. He delved deeper and revealed that the foster children are at higher risk of various health issues including serious development delays, dental problems, and more importantly the nutritional deficiencies. This study further underscores the importance of regular health assessments and timely interventions to tackle and address these health concerns.

An article from the American Bar Association (2016) emphasized the increased susceptibility of foster children to both physical and mental health problems when compared to other populations. The report called for heightened awareness and advocacy to address the unique health needs of foster children. The study urged collaborative efforts among different stakeholders either welfare agencies, healthcare providers, or policymakers to improve physical health which could worsen during distress times in children.

A. Influence of Placement Instability

Woods et al. (2012) explored the relationship between physical health, mental health, and behavior problems among early adolescents in foster care. The study underscores the increased vulnerability of the foster population to such complex health problems. It notes that the early adolescents who are sent to foster care face a higher prevalence of physical health issues as compared to their peers. The health concerns range from chronic conditions to developmental delays. Additionally, the study signifies the pervasive influence of placement instability on the physical and mental health of foster children.

Some further insights into these health issues are provided by Deutsch and Fortin (2015). This study targets some specific physical health problems faced by this population. Foster children often encounter barriers to accessing optimal healthcare services including challenges related to insurance coverage and fragmented healthcare systems. This study also emphasizes on the need for comprehensive and coordinated healthcare initiatives to address these unique needs of children in foster care.

III. Factors Affecting Parental Involvement in Foster Care

The literature offers a comprehensive examination of various factors that influence parental interaction with children in foster care, professional viewpoints regarding family engagement in therapeutic foster care settings, and the influence of community and family participation on permanency outcomes.

A. Challenges to Consistent Parental Visits

Nesmith's study (2015) explored the crucial topic of consistency of parental visits with children placed in foster care. This research explores diverse elements that affect the frequency of these visits. Nesmith emphasizes the importance of regular visits by parents to maintain a strong parent-child bond which ultimately improves the overall welfare of foster children. The study also highlighted the factors that impact the visitation frequency including parental substance misuse, mental health, and socioeconomic status. It further suggests that interventions in this regard can address these issues and greatly bolster family-children reunification.

Sonya J. Leathers' study that was published in Family Relations in 2003 explored the emotional and behavioral challenges that children of foster care face due to conflicting feeling about their biological and foster parents. These conflicting feeling and changing loyalties can make it harder for children to maintain a consistent contact with their biological parents. This can further damage their emotional health.

In their study published in Child Youth Serv Rev in 2010, Lenore M. McWey, Alan Acock, and Breanne Porter delve deeper into the emotional health of foster care children due to the impact of continued contact with biological parents. This study investigated that the ongoing contact with biological parent can create emotional turmoil for foster kids that leads to disruption in their routines and make it harder for them to survive and adjust in foster homes.

B. Unique Challenges Faced by Foster Families:

Amy Morin in her article on Verywell Family shed light on the challenges faced by foster families that complicate the consistent parental visits more. Foster families need to show specialized parenting skills to navigate these challenges that can become worsen with time if not addressed properly. For example the child’s emotional inclination towards his foster family, legal complexities, and the child's emotional response to these interactions.

Awwad-Tabry (2023) investigated the unique challenges faced by foster parents in context of educational system. He found that foster parents often feel disregarded and unsupported within the educational system. This makes it harder for foster parents to create supporting environment for their children, advocate for their children's needs and build positive relationships with schools.

Buehler et al. (2003) explored the factors that impact the successful fostering. These factors that influence the success of foster care placements include the foster parent’s own characteristics. Apart from that the child's needs, and the support provided by the social service system greatly impact the fostering results.

C. Community and family involvement

Crampton et al (2011) conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the family-to-family initiative that focus on the influence of community and family involvement on permanency outcomes for these children in foster care. The research further highlights the importance of family and community involvement in child welfare initiatives. It highlights that the active engagement of communities and families can lead to more stable and long-lasting placement of children. The study additionally advocates for continuous efforts to make the collaboration between child welfare agencies, families, and communities more powerful to improve permanency outcomes.

D. Negative Parenting

Meyer et al (2009) explore the complex relationship between substance use, foster care, and termination of parental rights for their foster children. The study underscores the significance of risk factors that determine the legal outcomes in cases involving substance abuse problems. The study stresses certain risk factors such as the severity of substance misuse and prior involvement with child welfare services that can influence the decisions related to parental rights. The research concluded with the suggestions that focused interventions are essential to mitigate these risks such as substance abuse treatment and support services that can enhance the legal outcomes for parents.

 

References

Deutsch, S. A., & Fortin, K. (2015). Physical health problems and barriers to optimal health care among children in foster care. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 45(10), 286–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2015.08.002

Does Community and Family Engagement Enhance Permanency for Children in Foster Care? Findings from an Evaluation of the Family-to-Family Initiative on JSTOR. (n.d.). https://www.jstor.org/stable/48623328

Farruggia, S. P., Greenberger, E., Chen, C., & Heckhausen, J. (2006). Perceived Social Environment and Adolescents’ Well-Being and Adjustment: Comparing a foster care sample with a matched sample. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35(3), 330–339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-006-9029-6

Ferrara, P. (2013). The physical and mental health of children in foster care. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3684722/

Jivanjee, P. (1999). Professional and provider perspectives on family involvement in therapeutic foster care. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 8(3), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1022019413822

Meyer, A. S., McWey, L. M., McKendrick, W., & Henderson, T. L. (2010). Substance using parents, foster care, and termination of parental rights: The importance of risk factors for legal outcomes. Children and Youth Services Review, 32(5), 639–649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2009.12.011

Nesmith, A. (2014). Factors Influencing the Regularity of Parental Visits with Children in Foster Care. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 32(3), 219–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-014-0360-6

Physical health needs of children in foster care. (n.d.). https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/foster-care/physical-health-needs-of-children-in-foster-care/

Simmel, C. (2007). Risk and protective factors contributing to the Longitudinal Psychosocial Well-Being of Adopted Foster Children. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 15(4), 237–249. https://doi.org/10.1177/10634266070150040501

Sullivan, D. J., & Van Zyl, M. A. (2008). The well-being of children in foster care: Exploring physical and mental health needs. Children and Youth Services Review, 30(7), 774–786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2007.12.005

Sullivan, D. J., & Van Zyl, M. A. (2008b). The well-being of children in foster care: Exploring physical and mental health needs. Children and Youth Services Review, 30(7), 774–786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2007.12.005

Turney, K., & Wildeman, C. (2016). Mental and physical health of children in foster care. Pediatrics, 138(5). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1118

Williams‐Butler, A., Ryan, J. P., McLoyd, V. C., Schulenberg, J. E., & Davis‐Kean, P. E. (2018). Relational Permanence and Psychological well-being among African American Adolescents in Foster Care. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(10), 3277–3287. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1155-8

Woods, S., Farineau, H. M., & McWey, L. M. (2012). Physical health, mental health, and behaviour problems among early adolescents in foster care. Child Care Health and Development, 39(2), 220–227. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01357.x

Awwad‐Tabry, S. (2023). “I felt the system didn’t see me”: foster parents’ challenges, with a spotlight on their experiences with the schools. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05244-2

Buehler, C., Cox, M. E., & Cuddeback, G. S. (2003). Foster Parents’ Perceptions of Factors that Promote or Inhibit Successful Fostering. Qualitative Social Work, 2(1), 61–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325003002001281

Parental Visiting, Conflicting Allegiances, and Emotional and Behavioral Problems among Foster Children on JSTOR. (n.d.). https://www.jstor.org/stable/3700160

Lcsw, A. M. (2020). The unique challenges foster families face. Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/the-unique-challenges-foster-families-face-4779821

McWey, L. M., Acock, A. C., & Porter, B. E. (2010). The impact of continued contact with biological parents upon the mental health of children in foster care. Children and Youth Services Review, 32(10), 1338–1345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.05.003