The predictors of perceived social support among former foster youth

Zinn, Andrew; Palmer, Ashley N.; Nam, Eunji

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.07.015

Cited by 32 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Most of the respondents in our study have demonstrated a remarkable level of resilience, given the serious challenges which they had to face during their childhood and youth. The factors which have contributed to their resilience are in line with the findings of previous research [17,35] and include education, self-esteem, work, a life partner, and the ability to acquire new skills and social support [36].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The Social and Vocational Integration of Former Users of the Child Protection System in Romania: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2019

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The social and vocational integration of vulnerable groups is an important aspect of social sustainability. Former users of the residential child protection system represent such a group. The purpose of our research was to investigate the social and vocational integration of individuals raised in the child protection system in Romania. Their experiences during and after their time in residential care are analyzed. The research sample was composed of 23 interviewees (18 male and 5 female) with an average age of thirty-five at the time of the interview (SD = 7.49). Our research method was a qualitative one, based on a semi-structured interview. The results paint a generally bleak image of life in such institutions, both before the fall of communism in Romania in December 1989 and subsequently. In addition, the respondents’ transition from institutional life to independent living was full of challenges. Nevertheless, most of the respondents have demonstrated a remarkable level of resilience, based on factors such as education, self-esteem, work, a life partner and the ability to acquire new skills. As a general conclusion, our study has shown that a sustainable social development plan should include social policies which strive for the de-institutionalization of the child protection system by preventing the separation of children from their biological families or, where necessary, by finding family-type solutions for children in difficulty. If institutional childcare is to continue, it must be accompanied by consistent efforts to prepare these children for their transition to independent living.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The Social and Vocational Integration of Former Users of the Child Protection System in Romania: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2019

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“…Extant research demonstrates that previous experience with these risk factors increases the likelihood of subsequently experiencing these events (Fowler, Toro & Miles, 2011;Pilowsky & Wu, 2006). Connection to a caring adult ('Yes/No' dichotomous variable) at age 17 was included as a protective factor as having a supportive relationship with at least one adult is shown to lessen the odds of adverse outcomes for this population (Collins et al, 2010;Zinn, Palmer, & Nam, 2017).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of individual risk and state housing factors on adverse outcomes in a national sample of youth transitioning out of foster care

Prince

Vidal

Okpych

et al. 2019

Journal of Adolescence

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Introduction: Compared to their peers, youth who leave the foster care system without permanency experience greater risks for adverse young adult outcomes, including homelessness, incarceration, substance abuse, and early child birth. Extant literature focuses on individual-level factors related to adversity. In this study, we estimated the impact of state and individual-level risk and protective factors on adverse 19-year-old outcomes among a cohort of U.S. transition age youth. Methods: We used multilevel modeling to analyze prospective, longitudinal data from two waves of the National Youth in Transitions Database (N = 7449). These data were linked to the Adoption and Foster Care Reporting System, the Administration for Children and Families budget expenditures, and the American Community Survey for the period from 2011 to 2013.Results: Approximately 30% of the variation in each of the 19-year-old outcomes could be attributed to state-level effects. Residence in a state that spent above average of CFCIP budget on housing supports reduced the risk of homelessness and incarceration. Living in a state with a higher proportion of housing-burdened low-income renters significantly increased the risk of substance abuse and child birth. Individual-level risks were significant: racial/ethnic minority, male gender, past risk history, placement instability, child behavioral problems, residence in group home or runaway. Remaining in foster care at age 19 reduced the odds of homelessness, incarceration, and substance abuse. Conclusion: Macro factors, including financial support for transition-age youth, and broader housing market characteristics, have a bearing on young adult outcomes, and raise policy questions across social and human service sectors.

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“…The nature, quality, and characteristics of the close relationship could not be examined in the current study, but these factors should be included in future studies as they may shed more light on the types of mentoring relationships that are most helpful for improving outcomes for at-risk youth. The impact of multiple relationships, and/or different types of relationships, in relation to juvenile justice outcomes is also an area in need of further exploration (Zinn, Palmer, & Nam, 2017). Future studies should also evaluate whether different types of maltreatment have a differential impact on the link between social support and juvenile justice outcomes and whether results differ by sex, race, and ethnicity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Relationships with nonfamilial adults have also been linked to a lower risk for arrest among older youth transitioning out of foster care (Munson & McMillen, 2009). In another study of older adolescents with histories of foster care placement, Zinn, Palmer, and Nam (2017) found that youth with more avoidant or anxious attachment styles perceived lower levels of support from others and attachment insecurity appeared to mediate the association between social support and self-reported juvenile offending.…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

Does a Close Relationship With an Adult Reduce the Risk of Juvenile Offending for Youth With a History of Maltreatment?

Baetz

Widom

2019

Child Maltreat

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Social support is frequently cited as a protective factor against juvenile offending. The current study examined whether a close relationship with an adult in childhood decreases the risk for offending among individuals with a history of child maltreatment. This research utilized data from a prospective cohort design study in which children with court-substantiated cases of abuse and neglect and nonmaltreated children matched on age, sex, race, and approximate family social class were followed into adulthood ( N = 1,196). Having a close relationship with an adult did not decrease risk for delinquent behavior or arrest, but a close relationship with a parent was associated with lower risk for delinquent behavior. Surprisingly, adults with no history of maltreatment who reported having a close relationship with a peer or sibling were more likely to report engaging in violent behavior in adolescence. In total, these findings point to the complexity of development and suggest that although a close relationship with an adult can be protective, the mere presence of such a relationship, without inquiry into the type of relationship, is not sufficient.

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The predictors of perceived social support among former foster youth

Cited by 32 publications

References 45 publications

The Social and Vocational Integration of Former Users of the Child Protection System in Romania: A Qualitative Study

The Social and Vocational Integration of Former Users of the Child Protection System in Romania: A Qualitative Study

Effects of individual risk and state housing factors on adverse outcomes in a national sample of youth transitioning out of foster care

Does a Close Relationship With an Adult Reduce the Risk of Juvenile Offending for Youth With a History of Maltreatment?

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