Infant placements in foster care and labor market attachment: A national cohort study

Abstract

Infant placement in foster care is a critical intervention, yet its long-term outcomes are largely unknown. This study examines the association between infant placement and poor labor market attachment into early midlife. Using longitudinal data from over 620,000 Swedes born 1975–1981, including 0.2% placed in care during infancy, outcomes are compared with the general population and those placed at older ages. Results from sex-stratified hurdle regression models show that infants in care face higher risks of experiencing any year with poor labor market status compared to the general population, though with lower risks than older care groups. Among those with any occurrence, the infant group exhibits higher rates of years with poor labor market status compared to the general population. Women in the infant group had significantly lower rates than those placed at older ages, while men in the infant group had higher rates than other young care groups. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.