Previous studies have not consisten

Previous studies have not consistently examined MH problems
across the range of placement locations (e.g., in-home,
foster care, kinship care) through both early and late adolescence.
The time frame for ascertainment has varied across
studies, ranging from 2 weeks to 12 months. Although all prior
rates of teen MH problems are high, comparisons across age
groups and placement settings remain challenging, yet a second
National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW II)
provides data on a nationally representative sample of children
who have been investigated for maltreatment up to age 17.5
years. Teens in this sample, especially those who remain at home,
are an at-risk population that has not been extensively studied in
previous reports. Using data from this national cohort, we
examine the prevalence and associated correlates of MH disorders
in teens who remain at home or are placed in foster care.
These analyses expand beyond prior studies of teens in foster
care by allowing comparisons of the prevalence and correlates of
MH problems of adolescents across a spectrum of initial placements
and the full adolescent-age range.