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Assessment of Complex Trauma Exposure, Responses, and Service Needs Among Children and Adolescents in Child Welfare

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Abstract

Exposure to multiple, chronic interpersonal traumas, often referred to as complex trauma exposure, can impact several areas of mental health need and functioning. A comprehensive assessment of needs and strengths is essential to making appropriate service recommendations. This study assessed 4,272 youth within the Illinois child welfare system using the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS). A significant proportion of this sample had multiple/chronic caregiver-related trauma. Children with this complex trauma exposure exhibited more traumatic stress and mental health symptoms, risk behaviors, and day-to-day functioning difficulties, and fewer strengths compared to other children. Implications for these findings are discussed in terms of appropriate treatment/service planning and improved diagnostic classification to better capture the complex trauma needs among youth in child welfare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 1219, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Cassandra Kisiel & Tracy Fehrenbach

  2. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, USA

    Larry Small

  3. University of Ottawa, USA

    John S. Lyons

Authors
  1. Cassandra Kisiel
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  2. Tracy Fehrenbach
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  3. Larry Small
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  4. John S. Lyons
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Correspondence to Cassandra Kisiel.

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Kisiel, C., Fehrenbach, T., Small, L. et al. Assessment of Complex Trauma Exposure, Responses, and Service Needs Among Children and Adolescents in Child Welfare. Journ Child Adol Trauma 2, 143–160 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/19361520903120467

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19361520903120467

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