Transition to adult life of young people leaving foster care: A qualitative systematic review

Häggman‐Laitila, Arja; Salokekkilä, Pirkko; Karki, Suyen

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.08.017

Cited by 77 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Two groups of young people were identified. The first are those who experienced their transition as a possibility for a new beginning of life (Häggman-Laitila et al 2018). They were self-confident, had positive future expectations and had the inner strength to build a better daily life and identity for themselves; they thus had a growing sense of hope.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They had learnt from their past experiences and could enhance their strengths. The second group of young people consisted of those who described the transition as a negative change in their life situation (Häggman-Laitila et al 2018). They felt insecure about their future, received no support in dealing with the challenges of daily living, were socially isolated and had constant housing problems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The process of leaving foster care was described in the reviews mainly as unplanned and unfocused, with a marked lack of support from care providers, immediate birth family and institutional bodies (Häggman-Laitila et al 2018;Parry and Weatherhead 2014). Leaving care provided youth in foster care with no opportunities for participating in the decisionmaking concerning their future (Häggman-Laitila et al 2018). When young people had received successful formal and informal support in their transition process to independent living, it was experienced as empowering (Häggman-Laitila et al 2018;Parry and Weatherhead 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Young People’s Preparedness for Adult Life and Coping After Foster Care: A Systematic Review of Perceptions and Experiences in the Transition Period

Häggman‐Laitila

Salokekkilä²,

Karki

2019

Child Youth Care Forum

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Background The transition to adult life for those leaving foster care is a multidimensional phase of their personal development. Care leavers' life outcomes are poorer in education, employment, income, housing and parenthood compared with their peers from the general population. They suffer more than other youngsters from mental health and behavioral problems, substance abuse and involvement with criminality. Objective This study aims to gather, assess and synthesize the current empirical evidence about subjective perceptions and experiences of former youth in foster care regarding their independent living during the transition to adulthood. Method A systematic review was conducted of studies drawn from six databases and included quantitative studies from 2010 to 2017. Of the 37 eligible studies identified, 13 were selected for final review. Data was analyzed using a narrative method. Results Foster care leavers identified themselves as adult and were quite confident about their future and potential for independent living. They had different coping strategies and profiles, but often faced the same challenges in finding employment, education and having a person whom they could rely on. Among the factors that supported the transition to independent living were care leavers' personal characteristics, certain care-specific features, good education, sufficient prerequisites for a safe life and social support. Conclusions This review looked at various descriptive studies based on different conceptual perspectives, cultural contexts and methodologies. The evidence, however, still remains relatively insubstantial. Further studies are needed to provide more reliable evidence-based recommendations to inform service development, staff education and additional research activities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Young People’s Preparedness for Adult Life and Coping After Foster Care: A Systematic Review of Perceptions and Experiences in the Transition Period

Häggman‐Laitila

Salokekkilä²,

Karki

2019

Child Youth Care Forum

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“…These discouraging findings have prompted governments to address these concerns; positioning this population at the forefront of policy and legislation [9,10]. Yet despite being classified as a high-risk group; factors such as multiple placements, residential moves, poor screening in development and education, delays in service provision, limited data collation, consent and segregated service sectors are still suggested to contribute to these outcomes [11][12][13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review protocol to explore the prevalence and impacts of neurodevelopmental disorders in the care experienced by the looked after population

Heady

Watkins

John

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: A looked after child (LAC) is defined as a child or young adult, that has been placed in either a foster care, kinship, residential or adoption care setting. While embedded in the care of these services, these children still develop debilitating disorders that significantly impact their future overall wellbeing. Prevalence of these disorders are often depicted under broad, umbrella categories such as mental, behavioural or developmental disorders. What specific disorders fall under these broad categories is limited in research. This review aims to explore the prevalence and early impacts of neurodevelopmental disorders in the LAC and if feasible, compare prevalence with those children who are not looked after (NoN-LAC). Disorders such as dyslexia, bipolar and autism which are classified as neurodevelopmental or associated disorders in the expert field of genetics and neuropsychiatry will be explored. These disorders significantly impact on emotions, memory, ability to learn and socialize and are diagnosed solely based on behaviour. As a result; attaining a diagnosis can take years due to the associated complex behavioural symptomology.With an increasing rate of children entering the care system on a global level; it is an appropriate time to examine the prevalence and impact of these neurodevelopmental disorders in this already, vulnerable population.Methods: A literature search will be conducted using several multiple databases such as PubMed, PsychINFO and Web of Science Core Collection. Secondary literature, grey literature and government publications will also be searched systematically to further identify any eligible studies. Children involved in foster, residential, adopted or kinship care will be identified as a LAC. NoN-LAC will be children who are not placed in the looked after care setting. The age limit is 25 years as the review aims to explore the earlier impacts these disorders may have on the overall wellbeing of these children. Appropriate statistical techniques will be utilised and adapted throughout the review dependent on the research designs of the eligible studies. Discussion: This review could identify gaps in LAC research and potentially contribute to the understanding of the adverse life outcomes that many of these children are predicted to attain. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO Registration number: CRD4201913103

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Work Matters: Re-thinking the Transformative Potential of Education and Work in the Lives of Young People in Care and Care Leavers’

Gilligan

2019

Education in Out-of-Home Care

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Transition to adult life of young people leaving foster care: A qualitative systematic review

Cited by 77 publications

References 50 publications

Young People’s Preparedness for Adult Life and Coping After Foster Care: A Systematic Review of Perceptions and Experiences in the Transition Period

Young People’s Preparedness for Adult Life and Coping After Foster Care: A Systematic Review of Perceptions and Experiences in the Transition Period

A systematic review protocol to explore the prevalence and impacts of neurodevelopmental disorders in the care experienced by the looked after population

Work Matters: Re-thinking the Transformative Potential of Education and Work in the Lives of Young People in Care and Care Leavers’

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