THE JAPAN jidoyogoshisetsu study Research Design and major findings of Japan’s first systematic research on institutionalised children’s mental health out come Yuning Zhang 1,2, Shigeyuki Mori 1, Marc Archer, & Jennifer Y F Lau 2 1 Konan University; 2 Kings College London The Jidoyogoshisetsu Study accessed 25 institutions collecting wide-ranging data from 457 children and 213 caregivers. Methods included the HOME Inventory, caregiver interview, and child self- report. Since the late 1930’s, numerous studies evidenced institutional care’s negative impact on children’s physical, behavioural, cognitive, emotional and social development. Self-reported levels of: >clinical cut-off PTSD SYMPTOMS3.5 % DEPRESSION25.2 % TYEPES OF STRESS -Physical symptoms38.6 % -Bad temper and anger38.7 % -Helplessness35.2 % -Depression and Anxiety34.2 % Self-reported sources of: >clinical cut-off STRESS -School teacher21.0 % -Caregiver28.6 % -School peers17.2 % - Institution peers23.7 % -School work35.4 % SOCIAL SUPPORT -School teacher 10.2% -Caregiver8.7% -School peer23.3% - Institution peer38.9% Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire Sample Mean (SD) Norm Mean (SD) Conduct problems3.57 (2.49)1.81 (1.52) Emotional symptoms2.83 (2.30)1.40 (1.72) Hyperactivity/Inattention5.06 (2.76)2.87 (2.18) Prosocial behavior4.28 (2.48)6.14 (2.15) Peer problems3.61 (2.23)1.49 (1.60) Total score19.39 (6.53)7.57 (5.04) I. INSTITUTION -Overall sample characteristics (N = 25) -HOME Inventory Physical Environment Subscale III. CAREGIVER -Overall sample characteristics -Training and experience -Length of service -Occupational Stress IV. CHILD-CAREGIVER -Child report on relationship with caregiver -Perceived social support from caregivers and teachers II. CHILD -Overall sample characteristics Historical -Family background -Evidence of maltreatment -Reason for placement and placement history Current -Academic performance -Child-environment compatibility -Psychological well-being -Contact with biological family In Japan, as of March 2014, 85% of the 46,000 children in need of welfare protection are housed in 585 institutions across the country, which makes Japan one of the few developed countries still using institutional care as the default option for out-of-home placement. Despite abundant evidence of the detrimental effects of institutional care from several countries, there is little directly from Japan. Given the specific historical, economic and cultural of Japan it is important to address this dearth. The data are organised into four categories: Institution, Child, Caregiver, and Child-Caregiver. A summary of preliminary findings on psychological well-being and social support are presented in the tables below. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION METHOD & RESULTS DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION Example of the child self-report questionnaire Elevated levels of behavioural and emotional difficulties, depression and wide-ranging stress were identified. The preliminary findings provide further evidence that children under institutional care have high risks of emotional and behavioural disturbances, and this study will provide the first evidence on detrimental factors specific to the Japanese system. Self-report measures provide novel and direct insight into the perceived well-being and mental health of these young people, and also suggest areas for intervention. Ongoing analyses will yield a more detailed picture and likely identify individual variables of risk and resilience.