Psychiatric Symptoms and Substance Use Disorders in a Nationally Representative Sample of American Adolescents Involved with Foster Care

• 2006

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• Daniel Pilowsky; Li-Tzy Wu
PMID: 16549295DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jadohealth.2005.06.014

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About

This study examined psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders in US adolescents with a history of foster care. Using data from a 2000 survey (N=19,430, including 464 with foster care history), researchers found foster care adolescents had more past-year psychiatric symptoms, especially conduct symptoms, and higher rates of substance use disorders than those without foster care experience. Foster care adolescents were four times more likely to attempt suicide and five times more likely to have drug dependence diagnoses in the past year. The study suggests foster care involvement may be a marker of adversity and elevated risk for psychopathology and substance abuse in youth.

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Tags

Focus Areas: Everyday Emergency; Trauma

Audiences: Behavioral Health Professionals; Public Health Professionals; Schools & Childcare Providers

Emergency Management Stages: Mitigation; Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Keywords: Adolescent Behavior; Adolescent Psychiatry; Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders; Child Welfare; Cross-Sectional Studies; Foster Home Care; Logistic Models; Mental Health; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Conduct Disorder; Substance-Related Disorders; Adverse Childhood Experiences

Institutions: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

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