Health Literacy in High-Risk Youth: A Descriptive Study of Children in Residential Care |
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| Authors: | Alexandra L. Trout Steven Hoffman Michael H. Epstein Timothy D. Nelson Ronald W. Thompson |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Special Education &2. Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USAalex.trout@unl.edu;4. Department of Social Work, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA;5. Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA;6. Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA;7. Boys Town, Village of Boys Town, Nebraska, USA |
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| Abstract: | Although previous studies have demonstrated that children in out-of-home care present with elevated levels of mental and physical health, educational, and behavioral problems, little is known about youth's ability to manage health care needs or access health information and support. This study evaluates the health literacy skills of 229 youth served in a residential setting. Results revealed that the majority of youth demonstrated some level of risk, and anywhere from one-quarter to one-third demonstrated significant health literacy deficits suggesting a need for additional research and treatment intervention. Implications, study limitations, and recommendations for practice and future research are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | health literacy out-of-home care physical health residential care |
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