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- Determinants of psychological adjustment of institutionalized adolescents: a systematic reviewPublication . Simão, Ana; dos Santos, Rita Alexandra Mendes; Brás, Marta; Nunes, CristinaBackground Adolescents in residential care present a greater risk of developing various problems in several domains compared to adolescents residing with their biological families. Psychological adjustment is an emerging area of investigation with this particularly vulnerable population to understand the factors that underlie the difficulties youths present within this context. Objective The present study aimed to contribute to recognizing these factors through a systematic literature review following the PRISMA guidelines. Methods A search was conducted in seven databases (Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO, Web of Science, PsycArticles, Scopus), and quantitative studies from the last thirty years were included. RESULTS: Of the initial 8,174 articles identified, 64 were included, and all the studies were qualitatively assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Four categories of factors influencing psychological adjustment were identified: personal characteristics, social characteristics, caregiving, and adjustment problems. Most of the studies were cross-sectional and published in European countries. Conclusions The present review contributes to the research on the psychological adjustment of adolescents in residential care by providing an update and supplementing the previous systematic reviews. The proposed organization of the different factors and domains found in publications allowed us to analyze in detail what most impacted these youths' psychological adjustment. Practical and institutional implications for professionals working with this population are discussed, as well as the limitations to overcome in future studies.
- Positive residential care integration scale: Portuguese adaptation and validationPublication . Simão, Ana; Martins, Cátia; Ratinho, Elias; Kothari, Brianne H.; Nunes, CristinaYoung people in residential care settings hold distinct preferences regarding their relationships with key adults, including caseworkers and caregivers. However, their perspectives are not consistently assessed or effectively integrated into case planning. Evaluating this integration is essential for fostering positive adjustment and placement stability. Given that residential care represents the predominant child welfare intervention in Portugal, this study adapts and validates an existing instrument for use with youth in residential care institutions, providing evidence of its validity and reliability. Self-report questionnaires—the Positive Residential Care Integration (PRCI) scale (an adapted Positive Home Integration scale) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire—were administered to 511 youth (279 girls and 232 boys), aged 12 to 24 years, across 46 Portuguese residential care institutions. The study examined the face validity, discriminant validity, and reliability of the PRCI scale. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated good model fit, supporting a unidimensional six-item structure. Correlation analyses demonstrated associations with psychological adjustment and sociodemographic variables. The PRCI scale showed satisfactory psychometric properties, confirming its reliability for assessing youth integration in residential care. Cross-gender measurement invariance was also confirmed. These findings underscore the instrument’s relevance and validity for evaluating integration within residential settings and provide valuable guidance for caregivers, professionals, and caseworkers in child welfare services.
- Psychological adjustment and dark triad traits in adolescents living in residential care: a comparative study between boys and girlsPublication . Simão, Ana; Nunes, CristinaYoung people in residential care settings tend to present a heightened risk of emotional and behavioral problems. This study intended to explore connections between Dark Triad personality traits and psychological adjustment and to investigate potential sex and age differences in psychological adjustment and the expression of Dark Triad traits. Primary data were collected from a sample of 511 youth (279 girls and 232 boys) aged between 12 and 24 years, living in 46 Portuguese residential care institutions. Self-report questionnaires (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Short Dark Triad) were used to collect the primary data. Statistical methods were used such as analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results showed that boys scored higher in all Dark Triad traits and in behavioral problems. Younger participants scored higher in Machiavellianism and Psychopathy, in emotional and behavioral problems, and in hyperactivity/inattention difficulties. These results could help institutional professionals and social policies assess and delineate individual programs.
- Psychological profile of adolescents living in residential care: implications for evidence-based interventionsPublication . Simão, Ana; Martins, Cátia; Nunes, CristinaPsychological adjustment in adolescents living in residential care settings is a multidetermined process. This study explores the psychological adjustment of adolescents living in residential care, aiming to identify distinct psychosocial profiles. The sample comprised 433 adolescents (196 boys and 237 girls), aged 12 to 18 years, from 46 Portuguese institutions. Participants self-reported on key variables, including social support, coping strategies, emotion regulation, Dark Triad traits, attachment, and institutional integration. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three theoretically coherent profiles, differentiated by number of close friends, duration of institutionalization, substance use, and psychiatric medication. These profiles reflect varying levels of psychological, emotional, behavioral, and social adjustment and align with international literature. This study offers a novel contribution by identifying specific adjustment patterns among adolescents in care, providing valuable insights to inform more tailored intervention and prevention strategies aimed at fostering healthier development and well-being in this vulnerable group.
- Psychological profile of adolescents living in residential care: implications for evidence-based interventionsPublication . Simão, Ana; Martins, Cátia; Nunes, CristinaPsychological adjustment in adolescents living in residential care settings is a multidetermined process. This study explores the psychological adjustment of adolescents living in residential care, aiming to identify distinct psychosocial profiles. The sample comprised 433 adolescents (196 boys and 237 girls), aged 12 to 18 years, from 46 Portuguese institutions. Participants self-reported on key variables, including social support, coping strategies, emotion regulation, Dark Triad traits, attachment, and institutional integration. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three theoretically coherent profiles, differentiated by number of close friends, duration of institutionalization, substance use, and psychiatric medication. These profiles reflect varying levels of psychological, emotional, behavioral, and social adjustment and align with international literature. This study offers a novel contribution by identifying specific adjustment patterns among adolescents in care, providing valuable insights to inform more tailored intervention and prevention strategies aimed at fostering healthier development and well-being in this vulnerable group.
- Positive residential care integration scale: Portuguese adaptation and validationPublication . Simão, Ana; Martins, Cátia; Ratinho, Elias; Kothari, Brianne H.; Nunes, CristinaYoung people in residential care settings hold distinct preferences regarding their relationships with key adults, including caseworkers and caregivers. However, their perspectives are not consistently assessed or effectively integrated into case planning. Evaluating this integration is essential for fostering positive adjustment and placement stability. Given that residential care represents the predominant child welfare intervention in Portugal, this study adapts and validates an existing instrument for use with youth in residential care institutions, providing evidence of its validity and reliability. Self-report questionnaires-the Positive Residential Care Integration (PRCI) scale (an adapted Positive Home Integration scale) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-were administered to 511 youth (279 girls and 232 boys), aged 12 to 24 years, across 46 Portuguese residential care institutions. The study examined the face validity, discriminant validity, and reliability of the PRCI scale. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated good model fit, supporting a unidimensional six-item structure. Correlation analyses demonstrated associations with psychological adjustment and sociodemographic variables. The PRCI scale showed satisfactory psychometric properties, confirming its reliability for assessing youth integration in residential care. Cross-gender measurement invariance was also confirmed. These findings underscore the instrument's relevance and validity for evaluating integration within residential settings and provide valuable guidance for caregivers, professionals, and caseworkers in child welfare services.