Displaying 1 - 10 of 48
Abstract:
Children and youth living in alternative care represent a vulnerable group in need primarily because of the lack of parental care and placement in some form of alternative care. Before living in alternative care, they usually experience several risks, including living in economic hardship and poverty, being victims of abuse and neglect, facing parents’ or their mental health problems, and experiencing other stressful or traumatic experiences. Still, some youth show positive outcomes in the face of these adversities, demonstrating resilience.
The aim of this research…
This qualitative study explores the emotional and social experiences of 10 children, aged 6–11, residing in foster care in Italy before adoption for almost three years. Through semi-structured interviews, the study underlined the needs and expectations of these children, highlighting the necessity for a deeper reflection on the role of foster homes as nurturing and educational communities.
The study emphasizes the significance of foster homes in meeting children's autonomy and affection needs, both crucial for overall development. The study reveals that fostering independence and self-…
Institutionalization is a protection measure when children are in situations that put their physical and psychological integrity at risk, which implies the separation of their parents and family, having a placement in an institution, being in the protection of the State. The causes of institutionalization are multiple and the impact it causes is reflected in different areas such as the development of the child in general, such as mental, psychic structuring, health, and nutrition. Psychologically, children present alterations in their cognitive, emotional, sexual, and social domains with a…
Abstract
Background
There is growing interest in the long-term impact of institutional care during childhood and/or adolescence. Studies indicate that residential care is associated with poor adult outcomes, including health and mental health problems, lower educational attainment and serious emotional and behavioral difficulties. This is, to our knowledge, the first qualitative study οn a Greek sample.
Aims
The aim of the present study was to provide understanding into the past and present experiences of individuals who had resided in a child-care institution during their…
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is a major risk factor for emotional problems in adolescence and adulthood and has deleterious effects on cognitive functions such as working memory. A key aspect in the study of the cognitive and affective consequences of maltreatment is autobiographical memory, especially regarding the difficulty retrieving specific memories, known as overgeneral memory. In this study, autobiographical memory tests, working memory, and a depressive symptom assessment were administered to 48 adolescents in care with a history of maltreatment (22 abused and 26 neglected)…
Abstract
Background
A history of early adversity, including lack of stable, sensitive and supportive caregivers, abuse and institutionalization, has negative influences over cognitive development. However, previous research has shown heterogeneous patterns of impairment in executive processes among children adopted internationally.
Method
Executive functions were examined in post-institutionalized children adopted into Spanish families from Russian institutions. Four tasks of the neuropsychological battery CANTAB were used to assess selective attention, planning, inhibitory…
Abstract
This study extends research on the effects of institutionalization—by examining the trajectories of cognitive, language and motor development of 64 Portuguese infants and toddlers across the first six months of institutionalization, while determining whether pre-institutional adversities and the stability and consistency of institutional care predict children’s development. At time of enrollment, 23.4%, 32.8% and 31.3% of the children were moderately to severely delayed, respectively, in their cognitive, linguistic and motor functioning. Developmental problems persisted after six…
Abstract
Numerous studies show the low academic levels of adolescents who are institutionalized in residential care facilities. Few adolescents who are or have been institutionalized in residential care are able to obtain a higher education degree, limiting their chances for a higher level of well-being and quality of life. The presence of this social group in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines is extremely low. This article shows the results of research that reveals the impact of a successful educational action, such as extending learning time for…
Abstract
The present study addressed institutionalised children and staff members' perspectives about bullying in Residential Care settings (RCs) in five European countries (Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy and Romania.). Interviews and focus groups were conducted respectively with 123 institutionalised children and adolescents (age range: 6–18) and staff members (N = 95; age range: 23-63). Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the data. Overall, findings indicated that participants were not fully aware of the specific features of bullying. Children and…
Abstract
Background: Institutionalization is increasingly acknowledged as a poor policy for the children. Every country has important responsibilities concerning the protection and promotion of children’s rights who are already in alternative care. Even a relatively short institutional placement may have long term negative consequences on children’s well-being and adult life.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the language and psychosocial skills of Greek institutionalized children in comparison to family raised…