The impact of parental alcohol or drug removals on foster care placement experiences: A matched comparison group study

Date

2007

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Child Maltreatment

Abstract

Research has established the coincidence of parental alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and child maltreatment, but few studies have examined the placement experiences and outcomes of children removed due to parental AOD use. The present study examines the demographic characteristics and placement experiences of a sample of children removed from their homes as a result of parental AOD use (n=1,333), first in comparison to the remaining sample of children in foster care (n=4554), then to a matched comparison group of children in foster care who were removed for other reasons (n=1333). Relative to the comparison sample, children removed for parental AOD use are less likely to experience co-occurring removal due to neglect and physical or sexual abuse, and are more likely to be placed in relative foster care. In addition, these children remain in care longer, experience similar rates of reunification, and have significantly higher rates of adoption. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, substance abuse, foster care, research

Citation

Vanderploeg, J. J., Connell, C. M., Caron, C., Saunders, L., Katz, K. H., & Tebes, J. K. (2007). The impact of parental alcohol or drug removals on foster care placement experiences: A matched comparison group study. Child maltreatment, 12(2), 125-136.

DOI