Jessica Burns, Dorothy E. Badry, Kelly D. Harding, Nicole Roberts, Kathy Unsworth, Jocelynn L. Cook
doi: 10.1111/cch.12817
Abstract
Aims
The current study aimed to explore differences in adverse outcomes between youth and adolescents with FASD living in child welfare care (i.e., foster care group home) with those living with their biological parent(s), or with adoptive or other family member(s) in Canada.
Methods
Data gathered from the Canadian National FASD Database was used for analysis.
A total of 665 youth and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of FASD under the age of 18 living in child welfare care, with biological, adoptive, or other family members were included in the sample. Key areas examined included living situation, legal problems, experience of sexual or physical abuse, mental health (anxiety, conduct disorder, mood disorder, post‐traumatic stress disorder), and suicidal ideation. Descriptive statistics and chi square comparisons were utilized to explore these differences.
Results
Results revealed a significantly higher rate of reported sexual and physical abuse among individuals in child welfare care compared to those living with biological parents or with adoptive or other family member(s). Rates of difficulty with the law was also higher among those in child welfare care compared to adoptive/other family members. Conversely, the rate of mood disorders was significantly higher among those living with adoptive/other family members compared to child welfare care. Results highlight similar rates of reported suicidal ideation/attempts across all living situations, as well as mental health concerns.
Conclusions
Results offer rare insight into the lives of youth and adolescents under age 18 with diagnosed FASD who reside in child welfare care in contrast to those living with biological parent(s), or with adoptive or other family members. These findings increase our awareness of the complexity of mental health concerns and suicide risk across all living environments. Results have further implications for policy, practice, and clinical intervention.
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