Work

Residential Care for Youth in the Child Welfare System: Stop-Gap Option or Not?

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: This study provides national estimates for length of stay in residential care and examines within-group variability along salient predictors. Using data from the National Study on Child and Adolescent Well-Being, the sample included 254 youth with episodes in residential care. Descriptive analyses provided estimates for length of stay over the three-year study period. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the effect of predictor variables on length of stay. Results indicate that a minority of youth experienced short stays in residential care. Chronic health problems and a greater number of placements were associated with longer stays. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Source: Residential Treatment for Children & Youth

DOI: 10.1080/0886571x.2012.643678

Authors: Sigrid S. James, Jin Jin Zhang, John Landsverk

Institutions: Loma Linda University, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego

Language: English

Topic: Child Welfare and Adoption

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health