New review highlights the impact of child removal on parents’ lives

Viviane S. Straatmann, a core member of the ICON network, has recently published a review that sheds light on the often-overlooked consequences parents face when their children are placed into out-of-home care (OHC).

About the study

This scoping review synthesizes results from quantitative studies investigating the socioeconomic and psychosocial outcomes of parents who have experienced the removal of a child into OHC. Six databases were comprehensively searched, with 15 studies selected for inclusion in the review. Studies were conducted among OECD countries with substantial heterogeneity in the methods and designs.

Highlights

This review highlights the significant toll on parents, particularly mothers, who often experience declines in mental health and financial stability after child removal.

Further quantitative research into aspects of parents’ lives after children’s OHC placement is needed, particularly with longitudinal designs and more rigorous methods to enable a better understanding of the causes and effects of these associations.

Addressing the needs of these parents could lead to more positive outcomes for families as a whole, making it an area of urgent concern for policymakers and practitioners alike.

Publication details

Straatmann, V. S., Rajesh, T., Bennett, D., Forsman, H., Liu, C., Taylor-Robinson, D., … & Almquist, Y. B. (2024). Socioeconomic and psychosocial outcomes of parents with children in out-of-home care: A scoping review. Children and Youth Services Review, 107854.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107854

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