CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 53Child Welfare and AdoptionSocial Work Education and PracticeFamily Dynamics and Relationships

Sibling Separation and Placement Instability for Children in Foster Care

Open access
Font, Sarah A., Kim, Hyun Woo·2022·Child Maltreatment
DOI 10.1177/10775595211012482PMC PMC8968784
Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

U.S. foster care policy prioritizes keeping siblings together while in foster care. However, prior research on the effects of sibling placement is limited in sample, measures, and research design. In this study, we use data on 2,297 children from an urban county in years 2015-2019 and assess how sibling separation is associated with placement instability. We use multilevel parametric hazard modeling with adjustments for child, sibling, and placement characteristics. Findings indicate that children placed with at least one sibling are less likely to experience a placement move and are specifically less likely to experience a non-progress move (e.g., moves due to problems or negative experiences in their foster home). For larger sibling groups, sibling separation was not consistently associated with placement instability and there was little difference in placement instability for children placed with some versus all siblings. Results were robust to differences in measurement and model specification. Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity was also associated with increased risk of instability, and associations between sibling separation and instability were stronger for Black children, implying enhanced efforts to maintain sibling groups may be especially beneficial for Black children. Overall, findings provide support for the continuation and expansion of policies promoting sibling placement.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1177/10775595211012482

Cites

38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

12 of 57 cited sources checked · 11 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    Sibling placement matches children's preferences.

    “Sibling placement also aligns with children’s preferences (Dickerson, Lyon, & Quas, 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dickerson, Lyon, & Quas, 2019 source
  • Premisecitation

    Some studies have data only on children in foster care and therefore cannot measure separation from siblings who remain at home.

    “Others only have data on children in foster care, and thus cannot measure separation from siblings who remain at home (Font et al., 2018; Sattler et al., 2018).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Font et al., 2018 source
    • cites Sattler et al., 2018 source
  • Premisecitation

    Few studies specifically modeled placement disruptions or non-progress moves rather than any placement change.

    “Lastly, few studies specifically modeled placement disruptions, or non-progress moves (versus any placement change; for exceptions, see: Font et al., 2018; Leathers, 2006; Sattler et al., 2018).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Font et al., 2018 source
    • cites Leathers, 2006 source
    • cites Sattler et al., 2018 source
  • Study design and conductown data

    Compared with studies elsewhere, these data have few cases with ambiguous reason codes such as 'Other'.

    “In addition, unlike studies conducted elsewhere (Font et al., 2018), our data have few cases coded with ambiguous reasons (e.g., “Other”).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Font et al., 2018 source
  • Findingown data

    For larger sibling groups, sibling separation was not consistently associated with placement instability.

    “For larger sibling groups, sibling separation was not consistently associated with placement instability”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
      “For larger sibling groups, sibling separation was not consistently associated with placement instability and there was little difference in placement instability for children placed with some versus all siblings.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 28
  • May combine two claims. 44
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    A recent meta-analysis concluded that sibling separation increases placement instability, based on nine quantitative studies published before 2015.

    “A recent meta-analysis on predictors of placement instability concluded that sibling separation increases placement instability, based on nine quantitative studies published prior to 2015 (Konijn et al., 2019).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Konijn et al., 2019 source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Children may adjust more easily when a familiar companion is present, reducing acting out or behavioral problems that often precede placement moves.

    “Scholars have argued that children may find it easier to adjust to a new environment when they have a familiar companion (McCormick, 2010); thus, the adjustment process may involve less acting out or fewer behavioral challenges – a key antecedent of placement moves (Konijn et al., 2019).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites McCormick, 2010 source
    • cites Konijn et al., 2019 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Joint placement of sibling groups may strain foster families; larger family size is a risk factor for abuse and neglect, and each additional child increases demands on family resources and caregiver time.

    “Second, joint placement of sibling groups may increase strain on foster families. Larger family size is a risk factor for abuse and neglect (Stith et al., 2009) and each additional child places a strain on families’ economic resources and confers greater demands on caregivers’ time and energy (Lawson & Mace, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Stith et al., 2009 source
    • cites Lawson & Mace, 2009 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Recent studies distinguish progress moves, which advance policy or practice preferences, from non-progress moves, which signal a poor match or inappropriate placement.

    “More recently, studies have emphasized the distinction between moves that further policy or practice preferences for placement and moves that indicate a poorly-matched or inappropriate placement experience (Cross, Koh, Rolock, & Eblen-Manning, 2013; Font, 2015; James, 2004; Koh, Rolock, Cross, & Eblen-Manning, 2014).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Cross, Koh, Rolock, & Eblen-Manning, 2013 source
    • cites Font, 2015 source
    • cites James, 2004 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Many studies include only a focal child rather than sibling groups, or focus on sibling pairs.

    “Specifically, many studies only include a ‘focal child’ rather than sibling groups (Hegar & Rosenthal, 2009, 2011) or focus on sibling pairs (Waid, Kothari, Bank, & McBeath, 2016).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Hegar & Rosenthal, 2009, 2011

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Waid, Kothari, Bank, & McBeath, 2016 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Studies measure separation differently: some compare placement alone with placement with at least one sibling, while others compare separation from at least one sibling with placement with all identified siblings.

    “In measuring separation, some studies focus on placement alone versus placement with at least one sibling (Barth et al., 2007; Leathers, 2006); others measure separation from at least one sibling versus placement with all identified siblings (Sattler et al., 2018).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Barth et al., 2007 source
    • cites Leathers, 2006 source
    • cites Sattler et al., 2018 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For Black children, the hazard ratio implied about a 25% increase in the hazard of any move and of non-progress moves compared with white children; for Hispanic children, the increase exceeded 50%.

    “The hazard ratio for Black children implies a roughly 25% increase in the hazard of both any move and specifically non-progress moves, compared with white children; for Hispanic children, the increase in hazard exceeds 50%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    There was little difference in placement instability between children placed with some siblings and those placed with all siblings.

    “For larger sibling groups, sibling separation was not consistently associated with placement instability and there was little difference in placement instability for children placed with some versus all siblings.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Age of the child's oldest sibling and removal reason related to parent-child conflict were positively associated with the hazard of a non-progress move.

    “Age of child’s oldest sibling and child removal reason related to parent-child conflict were positively associated with the hazard of a non-progress move.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For any move, the pattern held for being alone in placement (Black children HR=1.745, p<.001; white children HR=1.374, p<.1).

    “For any move, the pattern holds (Black children, HR=1.745, p<.001; white children, HR=1.374, p<.1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Children over age 4 had an increased hazard of non-progress moves, while age differences in the hazard of any move were smaller and not consistently statistically significant.

    “Children over age 4 faced an increased hazard of non-progress moves, but age differences in the hazard of any move were smaller and not consistently statistically significant.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Children with multiple siblings had fewer placement-weeks consistently alone (14%) and more weeks with at least one sibling (73%) than children with one sibling (29% and 61%, respectively).

    “Children with multiple siblings spent fewer placement-weeks consistently alone (14%), and more weeks with at least one sibling (73%) than children with only one sibling (29% and 61%, respectively).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For non-progress moves, the alone-in-placement coefficient was nearly identical for Black and white children (HR=1.300 versus 1.330), and neither was statistically significant at p<.05.

    “Yet, for non-progress moves, the alone in placement coefficient is nearly identical for Black and white children (HR=1.300 versus 1.330, respectively) and neither coefficient is statistically significant at the p<.05 level.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Relative to children placed with all siblings, the hazard of any move was 23% higher for children alone in foster care, 64% higher for children alone in placement, and 30% higher for children partially with siblings.

    “Compared with children placed with all of their siblings, the increase in hazard of any move was 23% for children alone in foster care, 64% for children alone in placement, and 30% for children partially with siblings.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Congregate care placements had a substantially higher hazard of ending with any move than kinship care, but no statistically significant difference in the hazard of ending in a non-progress move.

    “Congregate care placements had a substantially higher hazard of ending with any move compared with kinship care, but no statistically significant difference in the hazard of ending in a non-progress move.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For Hispanic children, being alone in placement had strong positive associations with any move (HR=2.297, p<.01) and with non-progress moves (HR=2.502, p<.01).

    “However, we find a null or marginally negative association between being alone in foster care and placement moves for Hispanic children, and strong positive associations of being alone in placement with any move (HR=2.297, p<.01) and with non-progress moves (HR=2.502, p<.01).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Males and females had equal hazards on both outcomes.

    “Males and females had equal hazards on both outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Under Alternative Measure 2, being placed alone was usually consistent rather than temporary; only 11% of placement-weeks were spent alone after a period of being placed together.

    “Using Alternative Measure 2, we observe that placement alone (with no siblings) was typically consistent rather than temporary -- there were few placement-weeks spent alone after a period of placement together (11%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For white children, being alone in foster care was not significantly associated with the hazard of any move (HR=1.092, p>.1), while for Black children the association was large, positive, and statistically significant (HR=1.535, p<.001).

    “Specifically, whereas there is no statistically significant association between being alone in foster care and the hazard of any move for white children (HR=1.092, p>.1), associations are large, positive, and statistically significant for Black children (HR=1.535, p<.001).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Black and Hispanic children were more likely to experience any move and a non-progress move.

    “Black and Hispanic children were more likely to experience any move and a non-progress move.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The hazard of any move was about three times higher in non-relative foster care than in kinship care (HR=2.981), while the hazard of a non-progress move was about 70% higher (HR=1.701).

    “The hazard of any move was roughly three times higher (HR=2.981) in non-relative foster care compared with kinship care, but the hazard of a non-progress move was about 70% higher (HR=1.701).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Being placed consistently alone or inconsistently alone was associated with increased hazard of any move and of a non-progress move.

    “Being placed consistently alone or inconsistently alone are both associated with increased hazard of any move and a non-progress move.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Descriptive analysis showed that Black children were more likely to be placed partially with siblings, but less likely to be placed with all siblings, than white or Hispanic children.

    “Our descriptive analysis (Appendix C) shows that Black children are more likely to be placed partially with siblings, but less likely to be placed with all siblings, than white or Hispanic children.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Existing research on sibling placement effects is inconclusive and limited by sampling, measurement, and design problems.

    “prior research on the effects of sibling placement is limited in sample, measures, and research design.”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
      “research on the associations between sibling placement or separation and children’s stability, permanency and wellbeing in foster care has been inconclusive, with significant limitations pertaining to sampling and methodology (Shlonsky, Bellamy, Elkins, & Ashare, 2005; DiGiovannia & Font, in press).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Shlonsky, Bellamy, Elkins, & Ashare, 2005 source
    • cites DiGiovannia & Font, in press

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Because children in foster care often have special needs from abuse or neglect, an additional child may place especially high demands on foster families, increasing stress and reducing care quality.

    “Because children in foster care often have special needs stemming from their prior exposures to abuse and neglect, such as developmental delays or behavioral challenges, the demands of an additional child may be especially high for foster families, resulting in increased stress and reduced quality of care.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Children in foster care often have special needs stemming from prior abuse or neglect, such as developmental delays or behavioral challenges.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Separated children may feel angry or sad and therefore have more negative interactions in the foster home, leading to placement changes.

    “When separated, children may feel angry or sad (Chambers et al., 2018) and therefore be more likely to have negative interactions within their foster home that result in placement changes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Chambers et al., 2018 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Limited foster home supply may force trade-offs in sibling placement, such as changing schools, living farther from birth parents, or using less experienced foster parents, which may offset benefits.

    “In addition, given the limited supply of foster homes (USDHHS, 2011; USGAO, 2018), sibling placement may require trade-offs, such as changing schools or residing further away from birth parents (which complicates visitation arrangements), or placement with foster parents with less experience or training.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites USDHHS, 2011

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites USGAO, 2018

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Placement changes force children to adjust repeatedly and can produce loss, rejection, and distrust; repeated moves may undermine trust and raise the risk of further moves.

    “Each placement change requires children to experience this adjustment period once more. Compounding these difficult adjustment processes, placement changes may evoke feelings of loss, rejection, and distrust, particularly when the placement change was unexpected or unplanned (Chambers et al., 2018).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Chambers et al., 2018 source
    • cites Rubin, O’Reilly, Luan, & Localio, 2007 source
    • cites Aarons et al., 2010

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • Rests on an assumption: Foster care can be disruptive and distressing because children are separated from familiar physical environments and primary caregivers, even when placement is needed for health and safety.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Best-interest evaluations in placement decisions lack transparency and consistent criteria, and some siblings may be placed together despite harmful or abusive interactions.

    “Evaluation of children’s best interests in placement decisions lacks transparency and consistent criteria (Font & Gershoff, 2020) and some siblings may be placed together in spite of harmful or abusive interactions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Font & Gershoff, 2020 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Siblings strongly affect children's functioning, serving as role models and, in abusive or neglectful homes, as primary attachment figures.

    “Siblings exert a significant influence on children’s functioning: children may look to older siblings as role models, and – in the case of neglectful or abusive family environments –siblings may be primary attachment relationships (McCormick, 2010; Rock et al., 2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites McCormick, 2010 source
    • cites Rock et al., 2015

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The federal Fostering Connections Act mandates reasonable efforts to place siblings together and, when that is not possible, to support contact between separated siblings.

    “the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (2008; P.L. 110-351) requires reasonable efforts to place siblings in the same foster, adoptive, or guardianship placement, and, where joint placement is not possible, to facilitate contact between separated siblings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (2008; P.L. 110-351)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The federal Act prompted at least 13 states to adopt new policies, while at least 28 states already had laws requiring efforts to keep siblings together.

    “The federal Act led at least 13 states to create new policies, in addition to at least 28 states that already had statutes requiring efforts to keep siblings together (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2015).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2015

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Keeping sibling relationships may help children cope with foster care losses and adjust positively.

    “Maintaining children’s other key connections, like their sibling relationships, may help children to cope with those losses and facilitate positive adjustment (Rock, Michelson, Thomson, & Day, 2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Rock, Michelson, Thomson, & Day, 2015

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Placement stability is a federal and state policy priority, and the federal government monitors state performance using the share of children with two or fewer placements by episode end.

    “Consequently, placement stability is a key priority in federal and state policy. The federal government tracks state performance on placement stability, using the proportion of children who experience two or fewer placements by the end of their foster care episode (USDHHS, 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites USDHHS, 2011

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Researchers have traditionally used survival analysis to model the hazard or time to a placement move, allowing inclusion of children still in care and adjustment for varying lengths of stay.

    “researchers have traditionally emphasized the hazard of, or time until, a placement move using survival analysis to enable inclusion of children who remain in care at the end of the observation period and account for different lengths of stay.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Courtney, Needell, & Wulczyn, 2004 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The present study addresses prior limitations by testing multiple measures of sibling separation, using a complete cohort with child and sibling group characteristics, and measuring both any placement move and non-progress moves.

    “The present study addresses these limitations by (1) testing multiple measures of sibling separation; (2) using a complete cohort of children entering foster care with measures of both child and sibling group characteristics; and (3) measuring both ‘any placement move’ as is common in prior research, as well as non-progress moves, which are more likely indicative of adverse foster care experiences”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: When only some siblings are in foster care, the child in care has no right to sibling visitation; visitation is at the discretion of the person with legal custody of the siblings.
    • Rests on an assumption: This form of sibling separation, where only part of a sibling group is in foster care, has not been a focus of previous research.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Caseworkers can select only one reason for placement ending and may differ in how they attribute endings.

    “We caution that caseworkers can only select one reason and may differ in how they attribute placement endings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisereasoning

    It is unclear whether inconsistent findings reflect differences in samples, methods, or measurement.

    “It is unclear whether inconsistent research findings reflect differences in study samples, methods, or measurement.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In most jurisdictions, Black children are overrepresented in foster care, reflecting higher rates of maltreatment and associated risk factors, and in some instances differential treatment.

    “In most jurisdictions, Black children are overrepresented in foster care, reflecting higher rates of maltreatment (Sedlak, McPherson, & Das, 2010) and associated risk factors (Drake, Jonson-Reid, Kim, Chiang, & Davalishvili, 2020), and, in some instances, differential treatment (Pryce et al., 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Sedlak, McPherson, & Das, 2010 source
    • cites Drake, Jonson-Reid, Kim, Chiang, & Davalishvili, 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Pryce et al., 2019 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisereasoning

    Examining different move types is necessary to determine whether differences in placement-change risk for jointly placed siblings reflect benefits of joint placement or efforts to reunite separated siblings.

    “Consideration of different types of moves is needed to discern whether differences in risk of placement changes for jointly placed siblings reflect inherent benefits of joint placement or efforts to reunite separated siblings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Children with more siblings tend to score worse on various intellectual measures.

    “First, larger size of sibling group appears to adversely impact children’s perceptions of the quality of parenting received (Kidwell, 1981) and children with more siblings tend to fare worse on a variety of intellectual measures (Downey, 2001).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Downey, 2001 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Additional model specifications reported in Appendix E produced results substantively consistent with the main models.

    “Appendix E describes and presents additional alternate specifications of our models, the results of which were substantively consistent with our main models.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The models adjust for child, sibling, removal episode, and placement characteristics that may influence both sibling separation and placement instability.

    “Our models adjust for characteristics of children, sibling groups, removals and placements that may influence both sibling separation and placement instability.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Most placement moves happen within a few months after a placement begins, and the risk of a move falls as time since placement start increases.

    “However, most placement moves occur within a few months of the start of the placement (Wulczyn, Kogan, & Harden, 2003), with the hazard of a placement move decreasing over time since the start of a placement.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wulczyn, Kogan, & Harden, 2003 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Data came through a data use agreement with Allegheny County Department of Human Services, and the study received university IRB approval.

    “Data were provided through a data use agreement with Allegheny County Department of Human Services and the study was approved by the Internal Review Board at the authors’ university.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The sibling identification method may miss siblings who did not previously live together and may misclassify unrelated children in the same home as siblings.

    “Because case IDs often follow a household or primary caregiver, this formulation may ignore siblings who did not previously reside together and may inaccurately characterize unrelated children living in the same home as siblings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Case identifiers often follow a household or primary caregiver.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Sibling separation is linked to higher risk on both instability measures, including non-progress moves.

    “We find that sibling separation is positively associated with both measures of placement instability.”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “Notwithstanding these limitations, our study finds consistent evidence that sibling separation is associated with increased risk of placement moves for children in foster care, including non-progress moves (which may indicate problems with children’s functioning or connection to caregivers).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Dilution theory holds that parental time and emotional energy are limited, so adding more children dilutes each child's share even when money is not scarce.

    “This is most commonly explained by dilution theory (Blake, 1986), which argues that parents have a finite amount of time and emotional energy for their children, and thus this investment is diluted when there are more children, even where there is no scarcity of economic resources.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Blake, 1986 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A few studies used multiple categories to distinguish full from partial separation or emphasized consistency of placement together.

    “A few studies used multiple categories to distinguish between full and partial separation or emphasized the consistency of placement together (Koh et al., 2014; Leathers, 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Koh et al., 2014 source
    • cites Leathers, 2005 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The findings support continuing and expanding policies that promote sibling placement.

    “Overall, findings provide support for the continuation and expansion of policies promoting sibling placement.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    One limitation is that caseworker reports were used to determine why placements ended and to build the non-progress move measure.

    “Another limitation is reliance on caseworker-report to ascertain reasons for placement ending, and thus develop our metric of non-progress moves.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    This could imply particular harm from separating larger sibling groups, but it could also imply that children in larger groups are more adaptable and socially skilled at connecting with others in their foster home.

    “This would seem to suggest specific harms from separating larger sibling groups, but may also suggest that children in larger sibling groups are more adaptive to different environments and have more developed social skills that enable them to connect with other (non-related) children or adults in their foster home.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    As with other observational studies, these findings should not be given a causal interpretation.

    “Like other observational studies, our findings should not be interpreted causally.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The data have little information on children's special needs, which may affect decisions to separate siblings, limit options for co-placement, and influence foster parents' stress and requests to end placements.

    “Our data include limited information on children’s special needs (e.g., physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges), which may inform decisions to separate siblings, constrain the number of placement options for keeping siblings together, and influence foster parents’ levels of stress and ultimately their decisions to request that a placement be terminated.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The stronger associations for Black children could reflect different reasons for separation; if white siblings are separated mainly for safety and Black siblings for logistical limits, white children might experience less harm.

    “This may reflect differential selection into separation; for example, if white siblings are separated mostly due to safety issues and Black siblings are separated due to logistical or practical constraints (e.g., fewer placement options), we would expect white children to experience less harm from separation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Caseworker coding practices likely vary to some degree.

    “There is likely some degree of variability in caseworker coding schemes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The amount of contact probably differs by type of sibling separation, so the effects of separation may also differ.

    “Consequently, depending on the nature of sibling separation, the degree of contact likely varies (and thus, effects of sibling separation may vary too).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Federal policy generally mandates visits for siblings in foster care who are not placed together, unless limited harmful circumstances apply.
    • Rests on an assumption: If only some siblings are in foster care, contact is encouraged but not legally required.
    • Rests on an assumption: Visits may reduce some harmful effects of sibling separation, especially for children who leave foster care quickly to reunify.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationcitation

    Providing safe, stable foster care may be less challenging for sibling pairs than for larger sibling groups.

    “Second, children with only one sibling may experience less sibling conflict or competition between siblings than children in larger sibling groups (Newman, 1996), which may imply fewer challenges in providing safe and stable foster care for a sibling pairs versus a larger sibling group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationown data

    Because the data are from one urban county, the results may not apply to other places.

    “The data come from a single urban county and findings may not generalize to other areas.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Research suggests that children in larger sibling groups may be more emotionally connected and develop more favorable personality traits.

    “Yet, studies also suggest that larger sibling groups are more emotional connected and may develop more favorable personality traits (Newman, 1996).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Newman, 1996 source
60 of 60

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    When only some siblings are in foster care, the child in care has no right to sibling visitation; visitation is at the discretion of the person with legal custody of the siblings.

    “When at least one but not all members of a sibling group are in foster care, the child in care does not have rights to sibling visitation (it is at the discretion of the person with legal custody of their siblings).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    This form of sibling separation, where only part of a sibling group is in foster care, has not been a focus of previous research.

    “To our knowledge, this form of separation has not been a focus of previous research.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Children in foster care often have special needs stemming from prior abuse or neglect, such as developmental delays or behavioral challenges.

    “Because children in foster care often have special needs stemming from their prior exposures to abuse and neglect, such as developmental delays or behavioral challenges, the demands of an additional child may be especially high for foster families, resulting in increased stress and reduced quality of care.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Case identifiers often follow a household or primary caregiver.

    “Because case IDs often follow a household or primary caregiver, this formulation may ignore siblings who did not previously reside together and may inaccurately characterize unrelated children living in the same home as siblings.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Foster care can be disruptive and distressing because children are separated from familiar physical environments and primary caregivers, even when placement is needed for health and safety.

    “Even when necessary to protect child health and safety, foster care can be disruptive and distressful due to separation of children from their familiar physical environments and primary caregivers.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is little rigorous research on what happens to children when siblings are separated.

    “Despite longstanding federal and state policies promoting sibling placement for children in foster care, rigorous research on the outcomes of sibling separation remains limited.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Avoiding non-progress moves is a higher system priority and more relevant to improving children’s foster care experiences.

    “Because preventing non-progress moves is a greater system priority – and likely more relevant to improving children’s experiences in foster care—we place primary emphasis on those findings.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Black children tend to stay in foster care longer and are more often placed with families whose race or culture differs from their own.

    “Because Black children on average spend longer lengths of time in foster care and are more likely to be placed with families of a different racial or cultural background than themselves, separation from siblings may be particularly negative.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    It is often impractical to keep every sibling together when the sibling group is large.

    “Although policy requires efforts to keep all siblings together, this is often not feasible for large sibling groups and evaluation metrics should measure and acknowledge partially-together placements.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A move intended to place siblings together may cause harm if it separates a child from a long-term caregiver.

    “At the same time, moves for the purpose of sibling placement may be harmful when it requires a child to be separated from a long-term caregiver.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Two-parent homes or homes with a parent working flexible or reduced hours may be better able to care for multiple children.

    “Although there is limited research on the characteristics of foster families able or willing to provide for sibling groups, adequate care for multiple children may be more attainable in the context of two-parent households and households where at least one parent has a flexible or reduced-hours work schedule to avoid dilution of resources.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Legal and best practice guidelines already lead agencies to try to keep siblings together.

    “Although our findings suggest that sibling placement is beneficial for children, we caution that agencies already, due to both legal and best practice guidelines, attempt to keep siblings together.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Making further progress in keeping siblings together may be hard without more resources or supports.

    “Without additional resources or supports, further progress in keeping siblings together may be difficult.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Federal policy generally mandates visits for siblings in foster care who are not placed together, unless limited harmful circumstances apply.

    “Federal policy requires visitation when siblings are in foster care but not in the same placement, except in limited circumstances where it would be harmful.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    If only some siblings are in foster care, contact is encouraged but not legally required.

    “When some siblings are in foster care and others are not, contact is encouraged but cannot be legally mandated.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Visits may reduce some harmful effects of sibling separation, especially for children who leave foster care quickly to reunify.

    “Visitation may mitigate some negative impacts of sibling separation, particularly for children who are in foster care for short periods of time and exit to reunification.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Because progress moves matter for federal performance goals, they are probably coded as such when relevant.

    “Progress moves are relevant to understanding whether and how agencies are meeting federal performance objectives (e.g., the Child and Family Services Reviews) and thus are likely to be coded as such where applicable.”
17 of 17

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

1 of the 39 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Blake J., 1986, Social Biology, 33, 5
  2. Government Accountability Office, 2015, HHS could do more to support states’ efforts to keep children in family-based care
  3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011, Federal child and family services reviews aggregate report: Round 2, fiscal years 2007–2011

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Font, S. A., & Kim, H. W.
Affiliations
Pennsylvania State University (US)
Corresponding author
Font, Sarah A.
ORCID
Venue
Child Maltreatment
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2021-04-29
Volume
27
Issue
4
Pages
583-595
ISSN
  • 1077-5595 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-6119
DOI
10.1177/10775595211012482
PMC
PMC8968784
OpenAlex
W3159592112
Semantic Scholar
d5ee2c4000f461f2726a9c9a745f6210375862bb
Cited by
53
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 1
FWCI
6.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Child Maltreatment (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (P2CHD041025)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
  • Social Sciences › Public Administration › Social Work Education and Practice
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
Keywords
sibling separation, sibling placement, placement instability, foster care, foster care policy, sibling groups, Black children, Hispanic children
MeSH terms
Child, Family, Foster Home Care, Hispanic or Latino, Humans, Siblings

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-09-28.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-28.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review