Self and Caregiver Assessment of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems of Romanian Children Placed in Foster Care

Objective: To assess the emotional, psychological and behavioural problems of children/teenagers placed in foster care. Methods: 92 foster children/teenagers aged 6-18 and 52 foster parents were assessed using self (Young Self Report; YSR) and caregiver report (Child Behaviour Checklist; CBCL/6-18) questionnaires. The results show that, while the foster parents endorse more on the externalizing problems (reported for one in three cases), the children/teenagers themselves report similar ratio (one in five) of externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Conclusions: Foster parents were more likely to rate their foster children as having rule braking behaviour, thought problems, inattention, aggression, externalizing and overall problems. Foster care children self-reported fewer symptoms of oppositional behaviour and increased internalizing symptoms of anxiety and depression. These findings highlight the need for early behaviour assessment and the implications of these findings for future development strategies of Romanian child protection services are discussed.


Keywords: foster care, internalizing/externalizing problems of children and teenagers, ASEBA Battery, CBCL and YSR profiles