ABSTRACT
In the 1970s and 1980s have large-scale studies been conducted that begin to answer our questions about the characteristics of children in out-of-home care. In addition to general information regarding the demographic characteristics of children in out-of-home care, little describes their behavioral characteristics. Children in kinship care had fewer behavioral problems than other children in out-of-home care. The Behavior Problems Index (BPI), developed by N. Zill and Peterson (1989) is designed to measure the frequency and range of several childhood behaviors. On the total BPI scale and on most of the subscales, group home children evidenced significantly greater behavioral problems than all other children in out-of-home care. Agency administrators in group homes and specialized foster care agencies, as well as specialized foster parents were asked to identify the types of behaviors observed in the children they serve.
