IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/cysrev/v108y2020ics0190740919305687.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

“Ask Me What I Want”: Community-based participatory research to explore transition-age foster Youth’s use of support services

Author

Listed:
  • Ruff, Saralyn C.
  • Harrison, Kristi

Abstract

Transition-age foster youth are a population deserving support, including possible psychological assessment and service provision. The majority of these youth do not receive adequate supports and face difficulties in the transition to adulthood. To understand the challenges and barriers to care, the majority of research relies on adult stakeholders rather than on the voices of youth themselves. This study used community-based participatory research to design and implement a survey of transition-age foster youth to learn about their experiences in foster care, use of professional services, barriers to initiating and continuing services, perspectives on treatment topics and therapist characteristics, and use of informal supports. This study details the methods and application of community-based participatory research with foster youth, and then presents a subset ofthe results of the survey completed by 84 youth transition-age youth in care. Findings indicate the importance of working towards equitable relationships with youth in care to inform research on youth’s experiences and perceptions. Survey results affirm transition-age foster youth’s desire for autonomy, their resourcefulness, and potential areas where services for these youth could offer more support, particularly during periods of transition.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruff, Saralyn C. & Harrison, Kristi, 2020. "“Ask Me What I Want”: Community-based participatory research to explore transition-age foster Youth’s use of support services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:108:y:2020:i:c:s0190740919305687
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104608
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740919305687
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104608?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Watt, Toni & Kim, Seoyoun, 2019. "Race/ethnicity and foster youth outcomes: An examination of disproportionality using the national youth in transition database," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 251-258.
    2. Havlicek, Judy R. & Garcia, Antonio R. & Smith, Douglas C., 2013. "Mental health and substance use disorders among foster youth transitioning to adulthood: Past research and future directions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 194-203.
    3. Ahrens, Kym R. & DuBois, David Lane & Garrison, Michelle & Spencer, Renee & Richardson, Laura P. & Lozano, Paula, 2011. "Qualitative exploration of relationships with important non-parental adults in the lives of youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 1012-1023, June.
    4. Garland, Ann F. & Besinger, Bridgett A., 1997. "Racial/Ethnic Differences in Court Referred Pathways to Mental Health Services for Children in Foster Care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(8), pages 651-666, December.
    5. Shamrova, Daria P. & Cummings, Cristy E., 2017. "Participatory action research (PAR) with children and youth: An integrative review of methodology and PAR outcomes for participants, organizations, and communities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 400-412.
    6. Geenen, Sarah & Powers, Laurie E., 2007. ""Tomorrow is another problem": The experiences of youth in foster care during their transition into adulthood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(8), pages 1085-1101, August.
    7. Jackson, Yo & Gabrielli, Joy & Tunno, Angela M. & Hambrick, Erin P., 2012. "Strategies for longitudinal research with youth in foster care: A demonstration of methods, barriers, and innovations," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 1208-1213.
    8. Roger A. Hart, 1992. "Children's Participation: From tokenism to citizenship," Papers inness92/6, Innocenti Essay.
    9. DosReis, S. & Zito, J.M. & Safer, D.J. & Soeken, K.L., 2001. "Mental health services for youths in foster care and disabled youths," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(7), pages 1094-1099.
    10. Johnson, Emily & Menna, Rosanne, 2017. "Help seeking among adolescents in foster care: A qualitative study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 92-99.
    11. Rutman, Deborah & Hubberstey, Carol, 2016. "Is anybody there? Informal supports accessed and sought by youth from foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 21-27.
    12. Dworsky, Amy & Courtney, Mark E., 2010. "The risk of teenage pregnancy among transitioning foster youth: Implications for extending state care beyond age 18," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(10), pages 1351-1356, October.
    13. Munson, Michelle R. & McMillen, J. Curtis, 2009. "Natural mentoring and psychosocial outcomes among older youth transitioning from foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 104-111, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ruff, Saralyn C. & Linville, Deanna & Clausen, June M. & Kjellstrand, Jean, 2022. "Preliminary evaluation of A Home Within psychotherapy with clients with a history of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Unrau, Yvonne A. & Dawson, Ann W. & Anthony, Jonathan C. & Toutant, Tamara M. & Hamilton, Ronicka D., 2020. "An exploration of life outcomes for college graduates with foster care histories by race: Preliminary results from a campus-based program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Blakeslee, Jennifer E. & Best, Jared I., 2019. "Understanding support network capacity during the transition from foster care: Youth-identified barriers, facilitators, and enhancement strategies," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 220-230.
    2. Blakeslee, Jennifer E. & Kothari, Brianne H. & Miller, Rebecca A., 2023. "Intervention development to improve foster youth mental health by targeting coping self-efficacy and help-seeking," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    3. Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Garcia, Antonio R. & Kim, Minseop & Thompson, Allison E. & Courtney, Mark E., 2015. "Development & maintenance of social support among aged out foster youth who received independent living services: Results from the Multi-Site Evaluation of Foster Youth Programs," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1-9.
    4. Harder, Annemiek T. & Mann-Feder, Varda & Oterholm, Inger & Refaeli, Tehila, 2020. "Supporting transitions to adulthood for youth leaving care: Consensus based principles," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    5. Thompson, Allison E. & Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Brunsink, Ashleigh M., 2016. "Natural mentoring among older youth in and aging out of foster care: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 40-50.
    6. Ruff, Saralyn C. & Linville, Deanna & Clausen, June M. & Kjellstrand, Jean, 2022. "Preliminary evaluation of A Home Within psychotherapy with clients with a history of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    7. Miller, Elizabeth A. & Paschall, Katherine W. & Azar, Sandra T., 2017. "Latent classes of older foster youth: Prospective associations with outcomes and exits from the foster care system during the transition to adulthood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 495-505.
    8. Cassarino-Perez, Luciana & Crous, Gemma & Goemans, Anouk & Montserrat, Carme & Sarriera, Jorge Castellà, 2018. "From care to education and employment: A meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 407-416.
    9. Semanchin Jones, Annette & LaLiberte, Traci, 2013. "Measuring youth connections: A component of relational permanence for foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 509-517.
    10. Best, Jared I. & Blakeslee, Jennifer E., 2020. "Perspectives of youth aging out of foster care on relationship strength and closeness in their support networks," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    11. Lee, Chris & Berrick, Jill Duerr, 2014. "Experiences of youth who transition to adulthood out of care: Developing a theoretical framework," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 78-84.
    12. Spencer, Renée & Drew, Alison L. & Gowdy, Grace & Horn, John Paul, 2018. "“A positive guiding hand”: A qualitative examination of youth-initiated mentoring and the promotion of interdependence among foster care youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 41-50.
    13. Gowdy, Grace & Hogan, Sean, 2021. "Informal mentoring among foster youth entering higher education," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    14. Radney, Angelise & Lee, Joyce Y. & Xu, Amy & Steinke, Hannah R. & Mengo, Cecilia & Johnson-Motoyama, Michelle, 2024. "Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare utilization among children in U.S. foster care: Recommendations to challenge the status quo based on a scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    15. Singer, Erin Rebecca & Berzin, Stephanie Cosner & Hokanson, Kim, 2013. "Voices of former foster youth: Supportive relationships in the transition to adulthood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2110-2117.
    16. Nesmith, Ande, 2017. "Coping with change: Using the Bridge's Transitions Framework with foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 41-47.
    17. Villagrana, Margarita, 2010. "Mental health services for children and youth in the child welfare system: A focus on caregivers as gatekeepers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 691-697, May.
    18. Hiles, Dominic & Moss, Duncan & Wright, John & Dallos, Rudi, 2013. "Young people's experience of social support during the process of leaving care: A review of the literature," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2059-2071.
    19. Casanueva, Cecilia & Stambaugh, Leyla & Urato, Matthew & Fraser, Jenifer Goldman & Williams, Jason, 2011. "Lost in transition: Illicit substance use and services receipt among at-risk youth in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 1939-1949, October.
    20. Goyette, Martin & Blanchet, Alexandre & Esposito, Tonino & Delaye, Ashleigh, 2021. "The role of placement instability on employment and educational outcomes among adolescents leaving care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:108:y:2020:i:c:s0190740919305687. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/childyouth .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.