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Psychotropic medication treatment patterns among school-aged children in foster care
B T Zima1, R Bussing, G M Crecelius
1Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, USA. bzima@mednet.ucla.edu
Insights
Sixteen percent of school-aged children in foster care used psychotropic medication, with stimulants being most common. Older children, those from specific backgrounds, and group home residents were more likely to use these medications.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Pediatric Mental Health
- Foster Care Research
Background:
- Children in foster care often have complex mental health needs.
- Understanding psychotropic medication use is crucial for appropriate treatment.
- Existing data on medication patterns in this population is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the prevalence and patterns of psychotropic medication use in school-aged children in foster care.
- To identify factors associated with psychotropic medication use in this cohort.
- To inform future research on treatment appropriateness and efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 302 children (aged 6-12) in foster care for ≥6 months.
- Structured survey interviews conducted in foster homes.
- Follow-up mental health assessments for 255 children.
Main Results:
- 16% of children had used psychotropic medication lifetime; stimulants were the most common (62%) in the past year.
- Older children, those of Caucasian/biracial backgrounds, and group home residents showed higher past-year use.
- Boys with severe psychiatric disorders were more likely to receive medication than girls.
Conclusions:
- Psychotropic medication use is prevalent in school-aged children in foster care.
- Sociodemographic and placement factors influence medication use.
- Further research is needed to assess the appropriateness and benefits of medication treatment in this vulnerable population.
Abstract:
This study describes the level of psychotropic medication use and patterns of such treatment among school-aged children in foster care. Structured survey interviews were conducted in the foster homes of 302 randomly selected children, aged 6-12 years, who were living in foster care for 6 months or more and placed from three county service areas. Follow-up mental health assessments using the existing system of care format were completed on 255 children. Sixteen percent of these school-aged children in foster care were found to have taken psychotropic medication during their lifetime. The most common class of medication used in the past year was stimulants (62%). Children who were older, from Caucasian and biracial backgrounds, and who lived in a group home more likely to have taken psychotropic medication in the past year. Among those children who received a clinician diagnosis of a severe psychiatric disorder for which medication is an accepted component of care, boys were more likely to receive medication treatment than girls. Sociodemographic characteristics and placement history variables may be influential in the level of psychotropic medication use among this population. Further research to examine the appropriateness and level of benefit of medication treatment in this population is needed.
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