At least 40 percent of children in foster care continue to be exposed to violence, even after entering out-of-home placement, reports a study in the May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
The study, led by UCLA child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Bonnie Zima and authored by Dr. Brad Stein of Santa Monica-based RAND, also links violence exposure to high levels of distress among foster care children. The researchers assessed lifetime and recent violence exposure in 300 Los Angeles County children, ages 6 to 12, living in foster care. During their lifetime, 85 percent reported witnessing violence, including weapon-related violence, and 51 percent were victims of violence.
In addition, 54 percent of the children had witnessed violence and 41 percent had been a victim of violence during the past six months. Such exposure, however, does not necessarily imply that violence occurred in foster homes or as a result of continuing contact with the biological family. Violence exposure after placement also may have occurred at school or in other community settings.
Further, the study assessed the children's level of distress associated with exposure to violent situations and events. Distress levels were highest for girls and children exposed to assault or weapon-related violence. Exposure to even mild violence had a significant impact on the children's distress levels.
"The leadership of the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health and Children and Family Services should be lauded for their vision to collaborate with the UCLA Health Services Research Center to provide objective data," Zima said "This preliminary information can be used to improve services to this very high-risk child population."
For child and adolescent psychiatrists and other professionals working with foster care children, the findings have important implications. Children requiring out-of-home placement should be asked about their history of violence exposure, whether as witnesses or victims, as well as their exposure to violence that may have occurred since they first entered foster care.
The researchers also urge their colleagues in child and adolescent psychiatry to conduct further studies on distress symptoms experienced by children exposed to violence. Exposure to even mild violence was related to significant levels of distress for this high-risk child population.
The UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital together provide world-renowned leadership in the treatment of neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders, in research to expand our knowledge of these common problems and in education in the field of mental health.
RAND, a nonprofit institution, helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis.
[Contact: Dan Page]
23-Apr-2001
