Mental health of foster youth in Ventura County

• Main Author: Shlapak, Andrew
• Language: EN
• Published: California State University, Long Beach 2013
• Subjects: Social Work
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1522601

<p> Although the concept of mental health issues among foster youth has been researched since the early 1980s, a challenge for children and family services has been working with foster youth with mental health issues. This study explored factors relevant to mental health issues among foster youth in the County of Ventura between the ages of 14 and 18. This case review study included 50 cases of foster youth from the County of Ventura Children and Family Services Youth Services Division. It was found that 76% of foster youth suffer from various mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood disorders, oppositional defiance disorder, and Pervasive Development Disorder). The most frequently noted was multiple disorders. No difference was found for the presence of a mental health disorder and ethnicity. There were also no significant differences between those with and without a mental health disorder in terms of years in the system or number of placements.</p>