Increasing numbers of children and adolescents of foreign descent are currently being admitted to residential homes in the Netherlands. Based on research carried out in the Netherlands, this article deals with the immigrant youngster's problems, the placement process, diagnostics, treatment, the involvement of parents, and the impact of cultural differences. The authors conclude that, compared to indigenous Dutch adolescents, immigrant youths in residential care more often show externalized behavioral problems. A second conclusion is that it appears to take more effort and time to find a suitable residential setting for these youngsters, mainly because they seem to be more often unmotivated for treatment and more frequently engaged in antisocial or delinquent activities than indigenous Dutch adolescents. A third conclusion is that there are several impediments to the full involvement of immigrant parents in their children's treatment. The treatment itself almost completely remains a "black box." The impact of culture-related differences between immigrant families and care institutions on communication and treatment needs more attention in practice and research. © 1998 Human Sciences Press, Inc.

[No Keywords available]

[No Keywords available]