Articles

Taxonomy of foster children in foster homes

Authors

  • Johan Strijker University of Groningen
  • Tjalling Zandberg University of Groningen
  • Bieuwe F. van der Meulen University of Groningen

Keywords:

taxonomy, CBCL, foster care

Abstract

There is a lack of a reliable, valid, and clinically useful classification system of behavior problems displayed by foster children in foster homes. The aim of this study was to develop and to initiate the validation of a classification system in order to categorize behavior problems of foster children. Child Behavior Checklists (CBCL, Achenbach, 1991) were gathered from 91 foster children in the Netherlands. A cluster analysis was performed on the eight CBCL narrow-band syndromes. Four groups were found: normal, aggressive-delinquent-social problems, attention-social problems, and withdrawn-social problems. These taxa corresponded well with Achenbach's general taxonomy. However, both taxonomies lacked predictive validity for foster care.

Author Biographies

Johan Strijker, University of Groningen

Dr. J. Strijker is assistant professor at the Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care [Orthopedagogiek], University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

Tjalling Zandberg, University of Groningen

Prof. dr. T. Zandberg is professor at the Department of Orthopedagogics of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

Bieuwe F. van der Meulen, University of Groningen

Dr. B.F. van der Meulen is associate professor at the Department of Orthopedagogics of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

IJCFW_2002_1-2

Published

2002-03-01

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1-2 (2002)

Section

Articles