Abstract
Objective
To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of 326 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years living in home-based foster care in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia with the HRQL of a random sample of 3,582 children aged 6–17 years living in the community in Australia.
Method
In both groups, HRQL was assessed using the 50-item version of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50) completed by caregivers/parents, and the 87-item self-report version of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-CF87) completed by 13–17 year olds.
Results
Young people in home-based foster care had significantly poorer HRQL in a wide range of different domains than those in the general community. Furthermore, among children in home-based foster care, those with mental health problems had significantly poorer HRQL in many domains than those without mental health problems. Demographic and placement characteristics of the children in home-based foster care were not significantly associated with differences in HRQL.
Conclusion
The findings highlight the importance of providing services and resources to improve the quality of life of children living in home-based foster care.
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Abbreviations
- HRQL:
-
Health-Related Quality of Life
- CHQ:
-
Child Health Questionnaire
- CBCL:
-
Child Behavior Checklist
- YSR:
-
Youth Self-Report
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Acknowledgements
The study was funded by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. The authors wish to thank Jenny Clark, and staff at Families SA for their help conducting the study, and Associate Professor Peter Baghurst for his advice about statistical analyses.
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Appendix 1
Appendix 1
Overview of the CHQ-PF50 and CHQ-CF87 Scales
CHQ scales | PF50 No of items | CF87No of items | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Physical healtha | |||
General health perceptions | 5 | 12 | Perception of child’s overall health |
Bodily pain & discomfort | 2 | 2 | Child’s bodily pain |
Mental healtha | |||
Behaviour | 6 | 17 | Child’s exhibition of aggressive, immature, delinquent behaviour |
Mental health | 5 | 16 | Child’s feelings of anxiety and depression |
Self-esteem | 6 | 14 | Child’s satisfaction with abilities, looks, family/peer relationships and life overall |
Limitations in everyday activitiesa | |||
Physical functioning | 6 | 9 | Limitations in performing physical activities, including self-care, due to health-related problems |
Role/social limitations due to emotional or behavioural difficulties | 3 | n/a | Limitations in school-work or activities with friends as a result of emotional or behavioural difficulties |
Role/social limitations due to emotional difficulties | n/a | 3 | Limitations in school-work or activities with friends as a result of emotional difficulties |
Role/social limitations due to behavioural difficulties | n/a | 3 | Limitations in school-work or activities with friends as a result of behavioural difficulties |
Role/social limitations due to physical health problems | 2 | 3 | Limitations in school-work or activities with friends as a result of physical health problems |
Familya | |||
Family activities | 6 | 6 | Limitations or disruptions to family activities due to child’s health |
Family cohesion | 1 | 1 | Family’s ability to get along |
Parental impacta | |||
Emotional impact on parent | 3 | n/a | Emotional worry/concern experienced by parent/caregiver due to child’s physical and/or psychosocial health |
Time impact on parent | 3 | n/a | Limitations on parent/caregiver’s time for their own personal needs due to child’s physical and/or psychosocial health |
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Carbone, J.A., Sawyer, M.G., Searle, A.K. et al. The health-related quality of life of children and adolescents in home-based foster care. Qual Life Res 16, 1157–1166 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9227-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9227-z