Enuresis and psychological concerns in a foster care population

This study examined the relationships between psychological factors and enuresis in a population of children placed in foster care in New York State.

Participants included 228 children (55% female, 45% male; 64% Black, 19% Hispanic/Latino, 7% White, 1% Asian, 3% multiracial) who were recently placed in care and had obtained an intake and psychological and/or psychiatric evaluation at the time of placement, which included foster parent or caregiver report about enuresis concerns at the time of assessment. This study conducted a review of those for whom enuresis concerns were identified and examined the prevalence of social-emotional concerns among this group when compared with the nonenuresis sample and the general population.

The results showed that children in this foster care sample experience enuresis at a higher rate than children in the general population. Participants with enuresis tended to score lower on measures of adaptive and socialization skills and higher on measures of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress.

The findings have implications for treatment, which should include both behavioral and psychological interventions. Limitations, including self-reporting of enuresis and sample convenience, are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).