For example, in the NSCAW study, foster children with experiences of severe maltreatment exhibited more compromised outcomes.32 Other scholars suggest that foster care may even be a protective
factor against the negative consequences of maltreatment.33 Similarly, it has been suggested that foster care results in more positive outcomes for children than does reunification with biological families.34 Further, some studies suggest that the
psychosocial vulnerability of the child and family is more
predictive of outcome than any other
factor.35 Despite these caveats, the evidence suggests that foster care placement and the foster care experience more generally are associated with poorer developmental outcomes for children.