Abstract :
When children in foster care are reunified with their families of origin they encounter changes that may
influence their well-being in both positive and negative ways.We examined the effects of reunification
among 218 children in foster care to test an integrative model of the effects of reunification using
structural equation modeling. We hypothesized that reunification would exert indirect effects on
subsequent child adjustment via changes in adverse life events, perceived social isolation, and mental
health service utilization. Results indicated no direct effect of reunification on subsequent internalizing
problems, but reunification was related to increased adverse life events that, in turn, were related to
elevated symptoms. Second, reunification was negatively associated with mental health service use.
Finally, reunification was associated with decreased child perceptions of social isolation. In summary,
reunification with biological parents is associated with multiple environmental changes, with most
but not all effects indicating negative consequences.
