Adult functioning of children who lived in kin versus nonrelative family foster homes.
The study reported here explored associations between the type of placement in out-of-home care (kinship versus nonrelative) and selected outcomes in adulthood. Interviews were conducted with 214 children formerly in care (40% kinship placed), who reported on parameters of their current functioning, including education and employment, physical and mental health, stresses and supports, and risk-taking behaviors. Although the social services records reported significant differences in functioning during out-of-home care between children in kinship care and those in nonrelative family foster care, few differences were found in adult functioning. Explanations for these findings are explored.
Benedict
M I
MI
Department of Maternal and Child Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Zuravin
S
S
Stallings
R Y
RY
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012940:Social Problems; D012944:Social Support