Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
07:56

Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure

Published on: September 19, 2019

10.5K

The road to reunification: Family- and state system-factors associated with successful reunification for children

Catherine A LaBrenz1, Rowena Fong2, Catherine Cubbin2

  • 1The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work, Arlington, TX, 76019, United States.

Child Abuse & Neglect
|November 26, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Many children reunifying with families re-enter foster care. This study identified family and state factors influencing successful reunification for young children, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Child Welfare Research
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Sociology

Background:

  • High rates of child reunification failures, with up to one-third of children re-entering care.
  • Detrimental impact of re-entry on early childhood brain development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Examine predictors of successful reunification (no re-entry) for children aged 0-5.
  • Identify family-specific and state child welfare system factors associated with reunification success.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of N=53,789 children from the 2012 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System.
  • Three-year follow-up to track re-entry into foster care.
  • Multilevel modeling to compare successful and unsuccessful reunification cases.

Main Results:

  • State child welfare systems accounted for only 4.6% of variance in successful reunification.
  • State average time-to-reunify and violent crime rates were associated with reunification success.
  • Variations by state in reunification success for families of color and those with parental drug use.

Conclusions:

  • Prioritize family-centered interventions in child welfare practice.
  • Further research needed to identify effective state-level strategies for diverse populations.
  • Focus on improving outcomes for families of color and those with substance use histories.
Abstract

Keywords:
Families first and prevention actInfants and young childrenPermanenceSuccessful reunification

More Related Videos

Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers09:16

Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers

Published on: March 14, 2018

10.6K
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

87.4K

Related Concept Videos

Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings01:29

Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or...
146
Attachment01:20

Attachment

Attachment is vital for infant development, as warm social interactions support growth and well-being. In a classic 1958 study by Harry Harlow, the significance of warmth and comfort in forming attachments was examined. Harlow separated newborn monkeys from their mothers and provided two artificial "mothers": one made of cold wire and the other covered in soft cloth. Despite the wire mother offering food, the infant monkeys preferred the comfort of the cloth mother, demonstrating that...
440
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
193
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood03:34

Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood

Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships. 
48.6K
Family Therapy01:30

Family Therapy

Family therapy conceptualizes psychological challenges as arising from dysfunctional interactions within the family unit, rather than as isolated issues within individuals. This approach seeks to address and transform the patterns of communication, roles, and relationships within families to promote healthier dynamics and emotional well-being for all members.
Strategic Family Therapy
Strategic family therapy emphasizes resolving communication barriers and improving problem-solving abilities...
458
Close Relationships and Culture01:29

Close Relationships and Culture

Culture shapes how people approach attraction, choose partners, and build long-term relationships. While some preferences in mate selection appear consistent across cultures, such as men valuing physical attractiveness and women emphasizing financial resources, cultural contexts influence how these preferences are expressed and prioritized. Marriage extends beyond romantic ideals in many societies and is deeply embedded in social, economic, and religious frameworks.The Role of Culture in Mate...
207