Exploring Antecedents, Thinking Orientation, and Family Dynamics among Children in Institutional Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: A children’s home is a residential care facility designed to provide a secure and nurturing environment for children who cannot stay with their biological families. These homes usually offer shelter, food, education, emotional support, and other basic desires for orphaned children and children who are neglected or in conditions wherein their protection or well-being is at chance. Methods: This study outlines the current status of the Government’s home for institutionalised children. It was carried out in government-run children’s homes for boys and girls in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala, India. There were 187 participants. Case records of institutions, Malian’s Intelligence Scale for Indian Children (MISIC), and Solution-focused inventory were utilised. Results: It was found that mental health of institutionalised children was influenced by family support, antecedent of the child, parental detail, and thinking orientation. Thinking orientation showed a direct relationship with mental health status. Mental health of institutionalized children was influenced by poor problem disengagement and resource activation. Conclusion: This study enlightens mental health outcomes of children who have been institutionalised, underscoring prompt initiation of immediate diagnosis and need for future oriented mental health intervention.