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Impact of foster care on sexual activity of maltreated youth. Monica Faulkner, PhD, LMSW Center for Social Work Research The University of Texas at Austin. Problem. 70% of female children in foster care will be pregnant by the age of 21
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Impact of foster care on sexual activity of maltreated youth Monica Faulkner, PhD, LMSW Center for Social Work Research The University of Texas at Austin
Problem • 70% of female children in foster care will be pregnant by the age of 21 • Nationally, 30% of females are pregnant by the age of 20 (Bilaver & Courtney, 2006)
Prior research • Some international studies • High pregnancy rates in other countries • Barriers pregnant/parenting teens face • Non-peer reviewed reports • Large numbers of teen parents in care • Empirical studies • Primarily non-nationally representative samples • Define & confirm high pregnancy rates • Document problems pregnant/ parenting teens encounter in care
Gaps in literature • How do risk and protective factors impact sexual activity and pregnancy over time for maltreated females? • In addition to foster care, how do changes in caregivers impact sexual health behaviors? • What are the factors that help determine whether a girl will remain abstinent?
Research questions Overall research question: How does foster care impact sexual activity and pregnancy for maltreated youth?
Data • National Study of Child and Adolescent Wellbeing (NSCAW) • CPS sample • Waves 1, 3 & 4
Variables • Dependent variable • Sexual activity: abstinent, sexually active, pregnant • Primary independent variables • Foster care placement • Caregiver changes • Additional independent variables • Problems in family of origin • Child maltreatment • Race • Risk factors
Conclusion • Foster care alone does not predict pregnancy or sexual activity. • Rates of pregnancy/sexual activity are high for youth who come into contact with the child welfare system.
Strengths & Limitations Strengths Limitations Problems inherent to secondary data analysis Issue with weights • Nationally representative data set • Examines different levels of sexual activity
Implications • National advocacy efforts should refine focus to include all youth who receive child welfare services • More research needed to examine discrepancy between high contraceptive use & high pregnancy rates
Monica Faulkner Mfaulkner@mail.utexas.edu (512) 47-17191