Children and adolescents in residential care often present with emotional and/or behavioral problems associated to previous adverse experiences such as abuse and neglect. Consequently, child welfare systems have developed therapeutic residential care (TRC) programs to address the most complex needs of this population. The aim of this study is to explore the characteristics of youths in TRC comparing them with those of youth in general residential care (GRC), and to detect the factors predicting referral to TRC programs. The sample consisted of 900 adolescents aged 12–17 years old (M = 15.57; SD = 1.33; 66.2% boys), from General Residential Care (n = 554) and Therapeutic Residential Care (n = 346). Profile information was collected through official files and an ad hoc questionnaire. Mental health problems were evaluated using the youth self-report (YSR). Significant sociodemographic differences were found between groups. Also, a higher frequency of emotional abuse and neglect, worse mental health, more breakdowns in child welfare measures and risk behaviors were found among adolescents in TRC. Sociodemographic and familial characteristics, features of the protective process and risk behaviors were associated to referral to TRC programs. Youths in GRC and TRC present with mental and behavioral problems that make it necessary to implement prevention programs and early detection procedures. Screening and evaluation of youth’s mental health and establishment of concrete criteria are suggested to ensure appropriate referral to the most suitable resource according to the individual needs of adolescents.

寄宿照料中的儿童和青少年经常出现与先前不良经历（例如虐待和忽视）相关的情绪和/或行为问题。因此，儿童福利系统制定了治疗性住院护理 (TRC) 计划来解决这一人群最复杂的需求。本研究的目的是探索 TRC 青年的特征，将他们与普通住宿护理 (GRC) 的青年进行比较，并检测预测转诊到 TRC 计划的因素。样本包括 900 名 12-17 岁的青少年（M  = 15.57；SD = 1.33; 66.2% 男孩），来自一般住宿护理（n = 554）和治疗性住宿护理（n = 346）。个人资料信息是通过官方文件和临时问卷收集的。使用青少年自我报告（YSR）评估心理健康问题。组间发现了显着的社会人口统计学差异。此外，在 TRC 的青少年中发现了更高频率的情感虐待和忽视、更差的心理健康、更多儿童福利措施的崩溃和危险行为。社会人口学和家庭特征、保护过程的特征和危险行为与转诊到 TRC 计划有关。GRC 和 TRC 的青少年存在心理和行为问题，因此有必要实施预防计划和早期检测程序。