Unveiling Disparities
Exploring Overmedication of Black Foster Care Youth and How Implicit Bias Contributes
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8250555 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Janice Berry Edwards (0000-0002-1201-1386, Howard University, corresponding author), Adachi Selas (Howard University) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 222-236 |
| Publication date | 2024-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Urban Social Work (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2474-8684 • E-ISSN: 2474-8692 |
| Publisher | Springer Publishing Company (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1891/usw-2024-0017 |
| OpenAlex | W4403392068 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
Background: Black youth are overrepresented in the foster care system, and research is needed to reveal the impact of their overmedication (Cénat et al., 2021; Dettlaff & Boyd, 2020; Godoy et al., 2022; Lee et al., 2015; Montgomery, 2022; Williams-Butler, 2023). Objective: This article examines misdiagnoses, overprescribed psychotropics, and off-label medication use to address behavioral concerns (American Civil Liberties Union Maryland v. Maryland, 2023; Cullins & Moore, 2020; Fadus et al., 2020; Mizock & Harkins, 2011) and investigate the contribution of implicit bias to find equitable and nondiscriminatory solutions. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify themes surrounding racial disparities within the child welfare system. Articles that were published within the last five years were prioritized, except for those with unique findings or a specific lens of inquiry. Foundational references such as relevant legislation were also used to support the research questions. Findings: The literature reveals significant and clear disparities in the treatment of Black youth within the child welfare system. Black foster care youth are often medicated at disproportionately high rates. Conclusions: The findings suggest that more culturally intelligent interventions are necessary to ensure Black foster care youth receive adequate and appropriate assessment and treatment
Foster care · Implicit bias · Racial bias · Sociology · Child Welfare and Adoption · Gender Studies · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Social Psychology
Barriers and Facilitators for Mental Health Service Use Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Adolescents
Clinician Bias in Diagnosis and Treatment
A Systematic Review of Mental Health Disorders of Children in Foster Care
Overrepresentation of Black children in the child welfare system
Outcomes following child welfare services
A case study in public child welfare
Poverty or Racism
Intersectionality and structural gendered racism
A conceptual model to guide collaborative reflective practice and values-driven child welfare decision-making
Psychotropic medications in child welfare
Examining racial disproportionality in child protective services case decisions
Controlling the Black School-Age Male
Racial Disproportionality and Disparities in the Child Welfare System
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |