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Understanding the use of psychotropic medications in the child welfare system: causes, consequences, and proposed solutions
- Authors:
- ALAVI Zakia, CALLEJA Nancy G.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Welfare Journal, 91(2), 2012, pp.77-94.
- Publisher:
- Child Welfare League of America
The use of psychotropic medications in children in the US has increased over the past 2 decades, and research has shown significantly greater usage among child welfare-involved children. In this article the authors explore factors that may contribute to this higher incidence of psychotropic medication usage and discuss unintended negative consequences for foster children and the public health system. The section on contributing factors covers biological vulnerability of foster children, psychosocial factors, fragmented assessment practices, the role of the foster parent, health insurance reimbursement, reactive rather than prevention-based practice, the role of pharmaceutical companies, and community mental health and child welfare. The discussion about consequences considers the health of the child, impact on mental health systems and professionals, and economics. The authors make proposals for addressing the issue of psychotropic medication use in foster children, including approaching it as a multisystem problem and instituting guidelines for a prevention-based biopsychosocial medical and mental health assessment of all children in the child welfare system.