Change Trajectories of Aggressive Behavior among Children in Long-Term Residential Care in Israel

There are very few studies examining patterns of behavioral change in the functioning of children at-risk while in out-of-home care and their predictors. The aim of this study is to examine change trajectories of aggressive... [ view full abstract ]

There are very few studies examining patterns of behavioral change in the functioning of children at-risk while in out-of-home care and their predictors. The aim of this study is to examine change trajectories of aggressive behaviors among children in long-term residential care in Israel and to identify various child, family, and placement-related predictors of the different trajectories. Records of 799 children (average age = 10.4, 33.1% female) in their first four-consecutive-years in care in a period of 4-year-stay were analyzed, using the CBCL aggressive behavior subscale (Achenbach, 1991) to measure the outcome variable. Characteristics of the children, parents and placement-related factors- were used to explain variance in change trajectories. Latent Class Growth Analyses identified four aggressive behavior trajectories: ‘stable- low’ levels of aggressiveness over time (45% of the children), ‘stable- high' levels (13%), ‘improvement’ (20%), and ‘deterioration’ (22%). Predictors of less resilient trajectories (enduring-stable or increasing aggressiveness) included mother's difficulties and disabilities, special education needs, post-hospitalization type of care, and immigration status. The main findings of the study are explained by General Strain Theory. Special resources should be directed towards at-risk subgroups of children who fare worse or keep on high stable level of aggression over the years. Understanding the clinical benefits of residential treatment is a critical component for ensuring that children and adolescents receive the type of care they need to maximize healthy development.