@article{ref1,
title="Placement shift, sibling relationship quality, and child outcomes in foster care: a controlled study",
journal="Journal of family psychology",
year="2007",
author="Linares, L. Oriana and Li, Mimin and Shrout, Patrick E. and Brody, Gene H. and Pettit, Gregory S.",
volume="21",
number="4",
pages="736-743",
abstract="Sibling unity during family transitions is considered a protective factor for child behavior problems, but there is little empirical support for the widespread child protection policy of placing siblings together in foster care. In a prospective study of 156 maltreated children, siblings were classified in 1 of 3 placement groups: continuously together (n = 110), continuously apart (n = 22), and disrupted placement (siblings placed together were separated; n = 24). Changes in child adjustment as a function of sibling relationship and placement group were examined. Sibling positivity predicted lower child problems at follow-up (about 14 months later), while sibling negativity predicted higher child problems. Placement group did not affect child behavior problems at follow-up; however, compared to siblings in continuous placement (either together or apart), siblings in disrupted placement with high initial behavior problems were rated as having fewer problems at follow-up, while siblings in disrupted placement with low initial behavior problems were rated as having more problems at follow-up. These findings highlight the importance of considering relationships between siblings and the risk that one poses to another before early placement decisions are made.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0893-3200",
doi="10.1037/0893-3200.21.4.736",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.21.4.736"
}