Self-perceived maladjustment of children in residential care

Abstract

Residential care has historically been the main support system for youngsters in vulnerable situations. At the end of the 20th century, there were a series of legislative changes in Spain regarding the child protection system, which attempted to improve the assistance given to this group. The main aim of this study is to analyse the problems of adjustment that are currently shown by youngsters who live in residential care. 93 of these youngsters and a normative sample completed the Test Auto-evaluativo Multifactorial de Adaptación Infantil (TAMAI [Multifactor Child Adjustment Self-perception Test]; Hernández, 1996). The main results indicate that youngsters in residential care obtain higher scores in maladjustment, although differences are not significant. The reason for admission and their development stage affect the results, but not the length of stay in the residential care. These results are discussed in relation to previous research and legislative changes regarding the child protection system. © 2012: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia.