The power of connectedness: Associations between caring non-parental adult relationships, school attendance, and discipline among foster-involved youth

Lamb, Brittani A.; Lee, Knoo; Espinoza, Sarah M.; McMorris, Barbara J.

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106633

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Previous research has documented an education achievement gap among children and youth with child welfare system involvement. The academic achievement gap is primarily attributed to the likelihood of frequent placement changes during foster care placement, a history of traumatic experiences and a lack of overall support, which contribute to higher rates of absenteeism (Lamb et al, 2022; Strolin‐Goltzman et al, 2016), lower average graduation rates (Day et al, 2021; Sandh et al, 2020), poor grades and test scores (Courtney et al, 2014), and frequent absenteeism (Zorc et al, 2013). When disruptions from the child welfare system force youth to change schools, the youth may lose access to important relationships with teachers, mentors and other school‐based supports.…”

Section: Caseworkers As a Source Of Hope Leading To Perceptions Of Ac...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Caseworkers as a source of hope leading to perceptions of academic success for transitional age foster youth

Pharris

Muñoz

Hellman

2023

Child & Family Social Work

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Research among adolescent samples has consistently demonstrated that a hopeful mindset is associated with resilience and global well-being. Further, research suggests that hope is influenced from an early age from connections with supportive caregivers. However, because older youth in the child welfare system may lack supportive caregivers, alternative sources of hope may be needed. To test a theory that supportive child welfare caseworkers can serve as external sources of hope, we conducted a cross-sectional study of youth in the child welfare system from a single state (N = 149). Using surveys with established scales to measure the variables of interest, the study tested a structural equation model of (1) youth's external hope in their caseworker as a driver of ( 2) internal hope in themselves leading to (3) more positive perceptions of academic success. Perceptions of academic success were chosen as the final consequence of the model because academic success has been linked to many other variables of well-being across the lifespan. The results indicate that the proposed structural model fits the data well (χ 2 = 327.9, df = 150; P < 0.001; root-mean-square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.09 [90% confidence interval -CI: 0.076, 0.103]; comparative fit index [CFI]: 0.920; standardized root-mean-square residual [SRMR]: 0.05). The results indicate that youths' hope in themselves had origins in external hope in the caseworker. Moreover, the final consequence was an increase in perceptions of academic success. Such results have implications by revealing how case management services can positively influence foster youths' hope and thereby influence their academic success.

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Section: Caseworkers As a Source Of Hope Leading To Perceptions Of Ac...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Caseworkers as a source of hope leading to perceptions of academic success for transitional age foster youth

Pharris

Muñoz

Hellman

2023

Child & Family Social Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

The power of connectedness: Associations between caring non-parental adult relationships, school attendance, and discipline among foster-involved youth

Cited by 1 publication

References 26 publications

Caseworkers as a source of hope leading to perceptions of academic success for transitional age foster youth

Caseworkers as a source of hope leading to perceptions of academic success for transitional age foster youth

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