Home away from home: factors associated with current functioning in children living in a residential treatment setting.
OBJECTIVE
While recent research has focused on the impact of abuse and other interpersonal traumas in childhood, little attention has been given to the experiences of children who have been removed from their homes. In addition to trauma, these children are likely to have had a number of experiences that may impact their current functioning. The purpose of this study was to provide descriptive information pertaining to the unique characteristics of children in residential treatment centers, and to examine preliminary factors believed to be associated with current functioning.


METHODS
Participants included 41 children, aged 7-12, recruited from two treatment centers in the rural Midwest. Children were administered the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC) and participated in a brief interview. Each child's primary caregiver at the facility completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).


RESULTS
Results of the descriptive analyses painted a picture of chaotic childhood marked by significant stress and trauma. Gender, child's satisfaction with current discharge plan, and multiple traumatic experiences were found to be associated with variations in symptomatology.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings may assist service providers and caregivers in understanding the unique experiences of this population.
Brady
Kristine Lynn
KL
Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, 414 E. Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069-2390, USA.
Caraway
S Jean
SJ
D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012944:Social Support