Factors Related to Adverse Functioning for Unaccompanied Children in Long-Term Foster Care in the United States: An Exploratory Study

Background and Purpose

In recent years the numbers of unaccompanied children (UC) migrating to the U.S. has increased substantially, particularly from Central American countries. Yet, little is known about how UC function after migration, particularly for those placed in foster care. Youth in domestic foster care often experience mental health symptoms related to histories of maltreatment, and demonstrate high-risk behaviors including substance use. This exploratory study aims to answer the following research questions: (1) To what extent is a history of maltreatment prior to migrating to the US associated with adverse functioning of UC while in foster care? and (2) To what extent does functioning differ for children from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala (e.g. the Northern Triangle), compared to other countries of origin. 

Methods

The sample includes 190 unaccompanied children (75.36% male) exiting long term foster care (LTFC) in the United States in 2015, using administrative data collected in 2015 by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). A total of 14 countries are included, and 76.33% are from Northern Triangle countries. The dependent variable – adverse functioning – is measured by a count of the number of significant incident reports (SIRs) a UC receives while in LTFC. Independent variables include age at discharge (years), gender (1=male), length of stay in care (months), history of maltreatment (1= yes), history of substance use (1=yes), and country of origin (three dummy variables for El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, respectively, vs. other). Bivariate analyses include chi-square and independent samples t-tests. Negative binomial regression models were employed to assess the associations between covariates and children’s level of adverse functioning.

Results

Male UC are more likely to have a history of maltreatment prior to migrating to the US (p<.01). UC who experienced maltreatment prior to migration to the US receive more significant incident reports (SIR), M=13.17 (SD=9.487) compared to no history of maltreatment, M=6.842 (SD=5.758) (p<.01). UC with a history of substance abuse prior to migration to the US received more SIR M=14.31, SD=9.970) compared to no history of substance abuse, M=7.288 (SD=5.870) (p<.001). No significant associations were found based on country of origin. Negative binomial regression analyses indicated longer lengths of stay in foster care (p<.01), history of maltreatment prior to migrating to the US (p<.000), and history of substance abuse prior to migrating to the US (p<.05) are each associated higher rates of SIRs while in care.

Conclusions & Implications

For unaccompanied children in foster care, a history of maltreatment and substance abuse are each associated with adverse functioning, a finding congruent with existing research on youth in domestic foster care. Yet, no differences emerged based on country of origin, suggesting that, in the context of migration, histories of maltreatment and substance use exert universally negative influences on UC’s functioning in the US. Implications of the study include offering practitioners a deeper understanding of risk factors associated with a UC’s migration to the US, and how interventions can be modified to meet the unique needs of this vulnerable population.