| Revista INFAD 2012 |
ISSN EDICIÓN EN PAPEL: 0214-9877 |
| Nº1, Vol. 1, pp. 247-256 | doi: en trámite |
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Perfil sociodemográfico y psicopatológico de los menores acogidos en valencia
Paula Sabater Pavía / Mª Dolores Gil Llario / Rosa Molero Mañes / Rafael Ballester Arnal. pp. 247-256
Abstract
Removing a child from the biological family is the best option in cases of abuse, neglect or mistreatment, but this resource can be a new stressor, because of its possibility to cause imbalances in
different areas. The aim of this study is to value how this situation impacts the children. In order to achieve our aim, we have carefully analyzed children’s sociodemographic and psychopathological characteristics, especially anxiety, depression and social stress. The study involved 116 children from Valencia, aged between two weeks and 18 years old received by foster families. Results, structured into three age levels, show that the foster care, although emerges as a temporary and preventive measure with the aim to return to the biological family, becomes as permanent. In addition, the child does not stabilize in a family and many of them are moved to a care-residency. Tutors consider higher levels of pathology in children under 12 years old than parents. However, between 13 and 18, this trend is reversed and the parents are who report higher levels of pathology, for both depression and anxiety.
Keywords: Foster children, anxiety, depression, adaptation
