The Effects of Foster Care on Child Development Thesis

The Effects of Foster Care on Child Development - Thesis Example The researchers found that children who were placed in foster care were more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems than those who were maltreated but stayed with their caregivers or other at-risk children, even when controlling for family income and functioning prior to the start of foster care placement. Length of time in foster care, age at placement, and number of foster care placements did not appear to affect outcome, just whether a child was placed in foster care or not. Foster care, although aimed at providing adequate and proper care for children, could be critical in their behavioral and emotional stability; the discontinuity of emotional connection for the biological parents and a weak foster care system could be the main reasons of such problem. Research Questions This research will look at several factors to determine, if any, what effects foster care contribute to children developmental. This research will focus on the following: 1. ... ement adaptation through repeated measure design among the participants who experienced foster care and an examination of change in behavior problems over time among the maltreated participants and those who received adequate care. 3. What are long-term consequences of foster care on behavior problems, overall emotional health, and psychopathology in adolescence? 4. What is the difference in outcome for children placed in child protective service prescribe foster care versus care with an adult familiar to the child? 5. The impact of foster care on behavior placement as longer term placements that have been related to placement instability, number of placements to determine the age of first placement and to determine a possible relation between age of placement and the subsequent development of behavior problems. Problem Statement This research will look at several factors to determine, if any, what effects foster care have on child development. Chapter 2: Literature Review Behavioral Challenges of Children in Foster Care The outcome of being in the foster care may not be what is expected. Since the child is a stranger to the new home environment, he is expected to adjust. Considering that childhood is a very critical stage in human development, especially when pertaining to the emotional and behavioral aspects, foster homes may not entirely serve the benefits of having a family. In the case of James, he was forced to go into foster homes since his parents are not able to sustain for his medications (Webb, 2001). Tentative conclusions would basically say that foster homes are better than troubled homes because they serve as a chance for children to have better lives. However, studies show the contrary. Koch (2007) reports that children who were kept intact with their