Citation

Santens T, Claes L, Diamond GS, Bosmans G. Child Abuse Negl. 2018; 77: 155-167.

Affiliation

Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 32, Box 3765, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: gd342@drexel.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.01.001

PMID

29353719

Abstract

Depressive symptoms and self-harm, i.e. non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behaviors, are highly prevalent in youngsters involved in Child Welfare System (CWS) services. Little research investigates, however, why these CWS youngsters are at risk. We explored whether trust in caregiver support and communication about experiences with primary caregivers, are associated with CWS youngsters' depressive symptoms and/or self-harm. An anonymous online survey of 271 CWS youngsters (10-21 years of age, 57.2% female) was used to assess trust and communication, and depressive symptoms/self-harm.

RESULTS showed significant negative associations between self-reported trust in maternal and paternal support, and depressive symptoms/self-harm. Communication about experiences with one's biological mother mediated the relationship between trust in maternal support and depressive symptoms/self-harm. Furthermore, the presence of an additional trustworthy caregiver buffered the impact of low trust in maternal or paternal support on depressive symptoms/self-harm. Implications for interventions targeting CWS youngsters' depressive symptoms and self-harm are discussed.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescence; Child welfare; Communication; Depressive symptoms; Self-harm; Trust