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Abstract
Higher levels of placement stability have been linked with less positive mental health outcomes and increased rates of emergency room admissions. Placement stability is defined as a disruption or transition within the child welfare system and the number of placements the child experience within a specified time interval. The issue of placement stability is significant due to previous attempts to conceptualize emotional and behavioral problems among foster care children from one theoretical perspective rather than many factors. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of placement instability on children's outcomes as the research study literature shows that less placement stability has deleterious effects on children's ability to cope, overcome challenges, excel academically, and thrive. When foster children experience a disruption in their placement and must move to another home, it can be a devastating experience. As detrimental as this process may be to the child's sense of security and belonging, placement disruption is a widespread phenomenon among foster children.