Implementing the CARE model in Spain: effects on relationship quality and child subjective well-being

Introduction In Spain, a substantial proportion of children and youth in child protection are placed in residential care. These children have been exposed to multiple traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, or instability, and tend to present higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems. This context highlights the need to implement trauma-informed and evidence-based intervention models. The present study reports the first implementation of the Children and Residential Experiences (CARE) model in Spain and examines its impact on improving relationship quality and child subjective well-being. Method The sample consisted of 81 youth, with assessments conducted at two time points: before the implementation of CARE and 18 months later. The instruments used were the Youth Perception Survey (YPS) to assess the relationship quality and the Personal Well-being Index (PWI) to measure subjective well-being. Results The implementation of the CARE model showed a significant improvement in quality relationship and perceived well-being, particularly in the domains of residential home, leisure, and overall life satisfaction. Furthermore, relational quality significantly mediated the relationship between CARE implementation and improvements in subjective well-being, evidencing an association between both constructs. Conclusion The CARE model strengthened the bonds between youth and caregivers, establishing secure and supportive relationships and enhancing psychosocial adjustment. Moreover, recognizing youth as competent informants is essential to accurately evaluate their care experiences.