Determinants of psychological adjustment of institutionalized adolescents: a systematic review

Simão, Ana; dos Santos, Rita Alexandra Mendes; Brás, Marta; Nunes, Cristina

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/27005

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Authors

Simão, Ana

dos Santos, Rita Alexandra Mendes

Brás, Marta

Nunes, Cristina

Abstract(s)

Background 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.