Abstract
This study investigates the competence of adolescents living in children's homes (n = 55, 12 - 15 years of age) and in children's self-reliance support facilities (n = 51). The Child Behavior Checklist was applied for the measurement, and completed by childcare workers in the facilities. It assessed internal competence on the scales of internalizing, externalizing, and total problems; and external competence, such as number of friends, the parent-child relationship, and the children's autonomy. Compared to adolescents in children's self-reliance support facilities, adolescents in children's homes showed significantly higher scores of external competence. Regarding internal competence, there was no significant difference in the externalizing score; however, the total and the internalizing scores were higher in children's homes than those in children's self-reliance support facilities. These differences show the importance of various types of competence. Moreover, the treatment of behavioral difficulties needs to be reinforced and greater internal competence should be provided in children's homes. In children's self-reliance support facilities, care for depression and anxiety should be provided and a system compensating for low external competence of adolescents should be implemented.
