Behavioral problems following reunification of children in long-term foster care

Although reunification is the most common and preferred exit from the U.S. foster care system, little is known about the well-being of children following foster care. Even less is known about reunification following long-term foster care. Geographically limited studies suggest poor behavioral outcomes following reunification. A secondary data analysis was performed using a subsample of 604 children from the National Study of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW) who had experienced at least 8 months of foster care. Multiple imputation (MI) was employed to address missing data. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and propensity score matching are used to explore the role of risks and reunification in children's well-being from baseline to 36-month follow-up. Results indicate that reunification has no direct effect on behavioral outcomes, but is associated with increased risks in the family context of children who are reunified. Findings highlight the complex nature of the relationship between reunification and behavioral outcomes, as well as the need for reunification interventions that specifically target parental mental health and children's internalizing behaviors. Reunification research using longitudinal data and qualitative methods is recommended to clarify risks and outcomes across time.