Abstract
Throughout the past decades tumultuous sociopolitical transitions in Ukraine, the number of orphaned children increased dramatically. Ukrainian orphanages commonly provide care for children without parents. While much data exist demonstrating the negative impact of institutional living on child development and functioning in adult life, more limited data reflects the mental status of children while institutionalized. Ascertaining the mental health needs of children in orphanages would inform practitioners and policymakers regarding programmatic interventions needed to mitigate social and emotional challenges in this population. Strategies could then be developed to increase social and emotional skills required for adjustment and adaptation into the larger community upon leaving institutional life. Support for such research and planned interventions seems an appropriate social work endeavor.
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