Children in Long-Term Foster Care Suffer High Rates of Behavioral, Emotional Problems

Released: 6/21/2011 8:00 AM EDT
Source: University of New Hampshire

Newswise — DURHAM, N.H. – Children who live in long-term foster care experience higher rates of behavioral and emotional problems compared with their peers who are reunited with their families or adopted, according to new research from the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.

The research was conducted by Wendy Walsh, research assistant professor of sociology at the UNH Crimes against Children Research Center and a research associate at the Carsey Institute, and Marybeth Mattingly, director of research on vulnerable families at the Carsey Institute and a research assistant professor of sociology at UNH.

“Children in long-term foster care suffer from behavior and emotional problems at alarming rates. Better identifying and assisting children with, or at risk of developing such problems upon entry to foster care and throughout their out-of-home placement, may alleviate their needs and troubles and provide mechanisms for supporting them as they get older,” the researchers said. FULL STORY

I am trying not to sound cynical and say something like "No shit Sherlock??".
We have plenty of OTHER Studies to look at too-

http://familyrights.us/news/archive/2010/october/study.html

~and~

Kinship Care More Beneficial Than Foster Care, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (June 4, 2008) -- Children removed from their homes after reports of (alleged) maltreatment have significantly fewer behavior problems three years after placement with relatives than if they are put into foster care, according to new research at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
http://familyrights.us/news/archive/2008/june/kinship_care_more_beneficial.html

~and~

Vulnerable Children Fare Well With Relatives, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (Jan. 21, 2009) — Placing vulnerable children with relatives is a viable option, a new study by Cochrane Researchers suggests. In view of several recent high profile child abuse cases, the study may have important policy implications.

"We don't know what type of out-of-home care is best for children. But our research suggests that children placed with relatives do as well or better than those placed with foster parents," says lead researcher Marc Winokur, who works at the Social Work Research Center at Colorado State University in the US.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090120204805.htm