(PS6-53) Parent-child Relationship as a Protective Factor for Internalizing Problems Among Adolescent Girls in Residential Treatment

Adolescents in community-based residential treatment programs (RTPs) present with exceptionally high rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Notably, data have shown 73% of youth in an RTP endorsed some form of child abuse and 12.7% reported incarceration of one or more household parental figure (Hussey & Guo, 2005). These rates coincide with research suggesting families who have seen at least one parent incarcerated are at higher risk for child maltreatment. Although it is well understood that ACEs increase risk for a plethora of negative mental health outcomes during adolescence, youth externalizing symptoms are known to take the focus of treatment in residential settings. Thus, youth internalizing symptoms may go unaddressed in an RTP setting as these symptoms often do not lead to behavioral issues within the treatment setting. Further, research is limited regarding the unique experiences and protective factors for girls in these programs, making data from all-girl RTPs particularly valuable. A strong parent-child relationship is one such factor which may buffer the risks associated with maltreatment and parental incarceration. In addition, while parental incarceration is often associated with risk for negative outcomes, there are some cases in which this event may act as a protective factor (e.g., child maltreatment). The current study will examine rates of internalizing problems among girls in an RTP who reported a history of child maltreatment and/or parental incarceration, and the role of the parent-child relationship within these interactions. The unique role of parental incarceration on internalizing problems across various types of maltreatment (i.e., physical, emotional, neglect) will also be examined. Data were coded using archived psychological reports collected from a diverse sample of 297 youth (aged 13 to 18 years old) within an RTP for adolescent girls. Self-report measures assessed child maltreatment and parental incarceration history (ACE-Q; Felitti et al., 1998), and internalizing problems and parent-child relations (BASC-3; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2015). Preliminary analyses revealed high rates of child maltreatment (70.5%) and incarceration of a household parent (41.8%). Bivariate and multiple regression analyses will explore relationships between child maltreatment, parental incarceration, and youth internalizing problems while controlling for all other ACEs. Analyses will explore if youth perception of the parent-child relationship moderates the association between endorsed ACEs and self-reported internalizing problems, and if history of parental incarceration moderates the association between maltreatment and internalizing problems. Results will further elucidate the experiences and treatment needs of girls in RTPs who report forms of familial instability or disruption. By bringing attention to the internalizing problems and potential protective factors of girls in RTPs, program clinicians can better advocate for the usefulness of CBT in this setting. Furthermore, agencies interacting with these youth and their families may consider development of innovative approaches to promote adolescent wellbeing, such as through strengthening parent-child relationships.