OBJECTIVE: To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of 326 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years living in home-based foster care in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia with the HRQL of a random sample of 3,582 children aged 6-17 years living in the community in Australia. METHOD: In both groups, HRQL was assessed using the 50-item version of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50) completed by caregivers/parents, and the 87-item self-report version of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-CF87) completed by 13-17 year olds. RESULTS: Young people in home-based foster care had significantly poorer HRQL in a wide range of different domains than those in the general community. Furthermore, among children in home-based foster care, those with mental health problems had significantly poorer HRQL in many domains than those without mental health problems. Demographic and placement characteristics of the children in home-based foster care were not significantly associated with differences in HRQL. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of providing services and resources to improve the quality of life of children living in home-based foster care.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of 326 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years living in home-based foster care in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia with the HRQL of a random sample of 3,582 children aged 6-17 years living in the community in Australia. METHOD: In both groups, HRQL was assessed using the 50-item version of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50) completed by caregivers/parents, and the 87-item self-report version of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-CF87) completed by 13-17 year olds. RESULTS: Young people in home-based foster care had significantly poorer HRQL in a wide range of different domains than those in the general community. Furthermore, among children in home-based foster care, those with mental health problems had significantly poorer HRQL in many domains than those without mental health problems. Demographic and placement characteristics of the children in home-based foster care were not significantly associated with differences in HRQL. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of providing services and resources to improve the quality of life of children living in home-based foster care.
Authors: M G Sawyer; F M Arney; P A Baghurst; J J Clark; B W Graetz; R J Kosky; B Nurcombe; G C Patton; M R Prior; B Raphael; J M Rey; L C Whaites; S R Zubrick Journal: Aust N Z J Psychiatry Date: 2001-12 Impact factor: 5.744
Authors: Michael G Sawyer; Leanne Whaites; Joseph M Rey; Philip L Hazell; Brian W Graetz; Peter Baghurst Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2002-05 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: M G Sawyer; K E Reynolds; J J Couper; D J French; D Kennedy; J Martin; R Staugas; P A Baghurst Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Barbara J Burns; Susan D Phillips; H Ryan Wagner; Richard P Barth; David J Kolko; Yvonne Campbell; John Landsverk Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 8.829