The risk for mental and developmental health problems in children living in alternative care

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the distress, behavior and developmental health problems of children living in alternative care. METHODS: The data were collected through a questionnaire between May and November 2017. The communities involved in this study were 169, from all Italian Regions, and hosted 1621 children. RESULTS: Children living in alternative care can manifest their distress in multiple ways. The respondents report the presence of aggressive behavior in about 27% of children, especially verbal aggression, followed by vandalism and physical aggression. CONCLUSIONS: Children in alternative care placements may be particularly vulnerable at risk for mental and developmental health problems, which may impact long-term outcome if untreated or ineffectively treated.