Mental health of children in institutional social care: Empirical findings from Greece

Abstract

Within the framework of a EU funded collaborative program against social exclusion, a study was carried out in Greece on the mental health of children living in institutional social care. The sample comprised 204 out of 2.173 children 6-18 years, randomly selected, living in all (29) institutions of social care under the state and the Greek Orthodox Church. An additional 250 children in residential care provided by NGO's and voluntary organizations were not included in the study. Findings revealed a steady decline in the population of children in institutions while an increasing need for fostering is being observed. At the time of the study (December 2002 - March 2003), 2.773 children 0-18 years were living under state care, 2.173 in institutions, and 600 in foster families, comprising 1:1000 of the total population of children in the country. The instruments administered were: a) the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), b) a questionnaire on the child and its family, and c) a questionnaire on the institution, its policies and functions. All institutions responded with information on 95% of the children sample. Results depict a high morbidity of mental health disorders as one in three children were clinically diagnosed with a mental health problem while differences in morbidity were observed among the three categories of institutions, reflecting the specific historical and cultural characteristics that have been influencing the evolution of child welfare policies in the country. As child protection in Greece manifests itself very differently to that of other countries in the EU, the re-orientation needed should bridge the gap between the organizational separation of child protection and mental health which is contributing in the violation of children's rights, as well as on the combination of cultural sensitivity and empirical evidence while being in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.