Percepción de psicólogos funcionarios de casas de acogida sobre el estado emocional y conductual en niños, niñas y adolescentes en la Ciudad de Cuenca, Cantón Cuenca durante el periodo junio - noviembre de 2024

Abstract

The mental health of children and adolescents (NNA) in the foster care system is important due to the prevalence of emotional and behavioral disorders in these groups. The foster home psychologist is the one called to diagnose, treat and refer in case of needing specialized care, so their perception takes on special importance. The present study sought to analyze the perception of psychologists in foster homes about the emotional and behavioral state of children and adolescents in the Cuenca canton, in addition to the factors that influence this perception and its relationship with the quality of care and institutional support provided to children and adolescents. Methodologically, it was a qualitative, phenomenological study, in which semi-structured interview techniques were applied to 6 psychologists assigned to foster homes in the city of Cuenca. The information was analyzed through thematic analysis and the results were systematized into 4 themes that were: the institutionalization of children and adolescents as a factor generating internalizing symptoms; Perception of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children and adolescents; Personal and institutional factors affecting the perception of the psychological officer on the emotional and behavioral state of the child and the assessment of the quality of institutional care for the child in foster care. In conclusion, it is established that the perception of psychologists on the emotional and behavioral state of the child involves personal factors of the psychologist, the care team, as well as the institution that determine the ability to perceive manifestations of anxiety, depression, aggression and disruptive behavior in children and adolescents in a foster care situation.