Publication year: 2011
Source: Children and Youth Services Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 16 August 2011
Alison M., Dunleavy , Scott C., Leon
Youth in the foster care system are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illness than those in the general population. Within this system, youth with antisocial behavior (e.g., aggressive, oppositional) are overrepresented. The challenges youth with antisocial behavior present to foster care systems make understanding the factors that predict remission in this population important for improving placement stability. Using Optimal Data Analysis (ODA), this study examines potential moderating effects of various individual, social, and strengths variables on clinically significant decreases antisocial behavior in a sample of foster care youth over time. Results revealed positive improvements in youths’ wellbeing to…
Highlights: ► We examine various individual, social, and strengths variables predicting resolution of antisocial behavior in a population of foster care youth using Optimal Data Analysis (ODA). ► Results revealed positive improvements in youths’ wellbeing, positive changes in family functioning and positive changes in adjustment to trauma (i.e., symptoms of PTSD) to be the optimal predictors of resolution. ► Clinically significant decreases over time in antisocial behavior were associated with concurrent improvement in individual and environmental variables.