Placement instability in relation to behavioural and emotional wellbeing amongst children in residential settings, foster care, and in the community

Background Children in care have significantly poorer behavioural and emotional wellbeing (BEW) compared to those not in care (in the community). Experiences precipitating and within care systems contribute to this. Many children enter the system having been abused or neglected and experience placement instability (PI) while in care. As such, there is a need for studies which examine the relationship between BEW and PI. Objectives This study used BERRI to explore the (1) BEW of participants living in residential settings, foster care, and the community (2) effects of PI on BEW and (3) differences in relationships between PI and BEW based on placement type. Methods The primary carers of 2,001 children and adolescents in residential settings, 267 in foster care, and 191 in the community completed BERRI. The “community” group was a self-selected sample with potential concerns. An independent samples t-test and a series of one-way and mixed-methods ANOVAs were used to analyse the data. Results (1) Participants from residential settings had greater BEW difficulties than those from foster care and the community (η 2 = .07); (2) those with PI reported greater scores on the BEW subscales of BERRI (η 2 = .03); and (3) a significant relationship between level of PI and BEW total scores was only seen in the residential settings subgroup (η 2 = .14 for behaviour scores, η 2 = .002 for emotional wellbeing scores). Conclusion It is crucial to reduce PI and its BEW causes and consequences, with a specific focus on residential settings. Recommendations are proposed.