The Role of Contextual Factors for Psychosocial Adjustment and Well-Being of Adolescents in Out-of-Home Care in Germany

Adolescents aged 11 to 21 years living in out-of-home care (OOHC; n = 87) and with their biological families (BF; n = 91) provided self-reports on their psychosocial adjustment (i.e., internalizing and externalizing symptoms), as well as their well-being. They also reported on perceived contextual factors, namely extra-familial resources (i.e., peer group and school integration) and perceived parenting behavior of their foster/ adoptive or biological parents, respectively (i.e., warmth and support, psychological pressure, demands and control). Adolescents living in OOHC compared to those living in their BF reported significantly less extra-familial resources, more parental psychological pressure, and more demands and control. In this cross-sectional study, path analyses on associations of the contextual factors with psychosocial adjustment and well-being revealed no significant moderation by family placement (OOHC vs. BF). Better peer group integration was associated with fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and higher well-being, while better school integration was associated with fewer internalizing symptoms. Regarding parenting behavior, more maternal psychological pressure was associated with more internalizing and externalizing symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of fostering peer and school support, and reducing psychological pressure, particularly for adolescents in OOHC. Adolescents in out-of-home care report lower peer group and school integration compared to those living with biological families. Higher demands and control as well as psychological pressure from caregivers are reported in out-of-home care settings. Peer group integration is crucial for better well-being and fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms. No moderation effects were found, indicating that contextual factors similarly relate to internalizing and externalizing symptoms and well-being in both groups. Our study underscores the need for targeted support and interventions for adolescents in out-of-home care.