Current project:
THE IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH: A STUDY OF YOUNG ADULTS WITH RESIDENTIAL CARE EXPERIENCE
Adolescents placed in residential care often have complex histories of severe and prolonged exposure to maltreatment and abuse. While foster homes are the preferred alternative for youth in out-of-home care in Norway, residential care becomes a viable option when the more traditional family-based living arrangements are unable to provide the necessary care. Although residential care provides support and protection, the transition into care can also introduce new stressor into an adolescent’s life. These individuals navigate intricate social relationships whilst coping with their past (and often ongoing) maltreatment experiences. Childhood maltreatment is associated with physical and mental health problems and poor quality of life. Many also face social and educational challenges that extend into adulthood. Thus, the effects of childhood maltreatment are long-lasting, both for the individual and for society. More research on the wellbeing and health of this exceptionally vulnerable population is important to ensure that policies and practices keep improving, providing these individuals with the highest quality of care. This study aims to investigate the frequency and timing of different childhood maltreatment experiences among young adults with a history of residential care. Using the comprehensive Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure (MACE) we will explore if exposure to different types of maltreatment at different ages in childhood is associated with quality of life and health-related outcomes in adulthood.
This phd-project is a part the two-wave longitudinal study VINGO, which examines the life trajectories of young adults with a history of residential care. Please see VINGO for more information about the study.