Year: 2007
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Converging research indicates that foster children with maltreatment histories have more behavior problems and poorer peer relations than biologically reared, nonmaltreated youth. However, little is known about whether such deficits in peer relations work independently or as a result of increased behavior problems, and whether outcomes for foster children differ by sex. To address these questions, multiagent methods were used to assess peer relations at school entry among maltreated foster children and a comparison sample of low-income, nonmaltreated, biologically reared children (N = 121). Controlling for caregiver-reported behavior problems prior to school entry, results from a multigroup SEM analysis suggested that there were significant relationships between foster care status and poor peer relations at school entry and between foster care status and the level of behavior problems prior to school entry for girls only. These Sex × Foster care status interactions suggest the need for gender-sensitive interventions with maltreated foster children.
Source: Merrill-palmer Quarterly
Institution: Oregon Social Learning Center
Language: English
Topic: Child Welfare and Adoption
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: G1217762703, G1307327952, G1397937498, Pathways Home: Reducing Risk in the Child Welfare System, G2355751377, Family and Peer Processes and G-E Interplay in Middle School: An Adoption Study, G2989369039, Preventing Problems for Girls in Foster Care, The Early Growth and Development Study: Family Process, Genes and School Entry, G4332849244, G492491330, Dimensions of Early Stress and Child Welfare Involvement, Divorced Fathering: Testing A Social Interaction Model, OREGON PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER, G8421124059, EIFC: Outcomes Through Middle Childhood
OpenAlex ID: W1978384956