Mental health problems among adolescents in foster family care: Prevalence and trends from 2004 to 2022

Adolescents in out-of-home care face heightened risks of mental health disorders, yet less is known about the broader range of mental health symptoms and their development over time. This study examines self-reported mental health complaints among adolescents in foster family care compared to their peers in the general population. Using repeated cross-sectional data from the Stockholm School Survey (2004-2022), which includes approximately 114,000 participants, 1 % of whom live in foster family care, the study analyzes differences in prevalence and explores temporal trends of these complaints, with a particular focus on gender differences. Multivariable regression analyses revealed significant disparities, particularly among girls, who reported higher risks across emotional, self-perception, psychosomatic, and sleep-related domains. While boys in care also exhibited increased risks, these disparities were less pronounced. General temporal trends indicated increases in complaints for both groups. Although differences in trends between groups were generally not statistically significant, some outcomes showed potential tendencies of narrowing gaps among girls in care, while trends for boys suggested widening gaps for most outcomes. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address persistent mental health challenges faced by this vulnerable group.