Interpersonal trauma and the correlation with attachment difficulties and psychopathology among children in foster care

Foster children often have experienced early traumatization and various psychosocial and biological risk factors. Especially the high prevalence of reactive attachment disorders in foster children is often described as a consequence of stressful relationship experiences in their families of origin. Traumatic experiences were assessed with the Essener Trauma Inventory for Children (ETI-KJ-F) as part of an epidemiological survey. Additionally, the German versions of the Relationship Problems Questionnaire (RPQ) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were used. Data from 275 foster children aged 5 to 16 years were analyzed (M = 10.98 years; SD = 3.26). 69 % of the foster children had experienced a relational traumatic event. When subjects were grouped based on the experience of a relational trauma, significant mean differences were found concerning the extent of relationship problems and psychopathological symptoms according to the CBCL (controlled for gender, age, duration of foster relationship, and number of placement changes). The two groups differed especially in terms of inhibited attachment and internalizing symptoms. The number of placement changes influenced these variables as well. The high prevalence of trauma in foster children and the high association with relationship problems and psychopathology indicate how important a "trauma-sensitive" agenda for support and corresponding counselling and training of the foster parents are.