The interrelationships between trauma and internalizing symptom trajectories among adolescents in foster care

• Examined trauma and internalizing symptoms of adolescents in foster care.
• Used a developmental framework to understand symptoms over time.
• Findings suggested a significant, positive relationship between these symptoms.
• Implications for trauma-informed assessments and clinical practices are discussed.

This study examined the interrelationships between changes in trauma and internalizing symptoms among adolescents in foster care. Using three waves of data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, growth-curve analyses were conducted with a sample of 155 adolescents aged 11–15 in out-of-home care. Findings indicated that the initial level of post-traumatic stress symptoms was significantly associated with the initial level of internalizing symptoms at Wave I and decreases in post-traumatic stress symptoms were significantly associated with decreases in internalizing symptoms from Wave I to Wave IV. Viewing trauma and internalizing symptoms as interrelated affords increased understanding of ways in which adolescents who have experienced high levels of stress express their needs. As such, it may be clinically beneficial to conduct an evaluation of trauma symptoms for adolescents in foster care, regardless of whether there has been a documented history of a traumatic event. Doing so may provide a more comprehensive view into the underlying influences of adolescent behaviors and help capture a broader clinical picture necessary for effective intervention.