Mental health outcomes for adults in family foster care as children: An analysis by ethnicity

Studies have linked the experience of child abuse or adversity to mental health problems in adulthood, and researchers have long documented ethnic/race disproportionality in foster care. Yet, the adult mental health outcomes of maltreated children placed in foster care have not been sufficiently examined across diverse ethnic groups. Although information on transitioning youth and young adults has emerged, the impact of ethnicity on adult mental health outcomes has been studied infrequently. Given the overrepresentation of ethnic minority children in foster care in certain communities, this study examined the relationship between ethnicity and mental health outcomes for Hispanic, African American, and White adults who experienced family foster care as children. Logistic regression models indicated that ethnicity was not a significant predictor of adult mental health (p > .05). However, gender, age of entrance into child welfare, maternal mental health, maltreatment while in care, number of placements, and degree of preparation for leaving care were associated significantly with the adult's mental health outcomes.