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Experiences of youth who transition to adulthood out of care: Developing a theoretical framework

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  • Lee, Chris
  • Berrick, Jill Duerr

Abstract

Adverse adulthood outcomes are well documented among youth who age out of foster care. However, not all youth who age out of care experience deleterious adult outcomes, despite struggling with similar challenges during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Childhood maltreatment, which places youth at greater risk for later maladaptive functioning and psychopathology, may partially explain poor adjustment outcomes in adulthood. Similarly, a history of unstable placements and residing in institutional congregate care settings may also contribute to hardship during this time. However, none of these factors help to explain how some young people aging out of care manage to achieve stability while transitioning into adulthood. This article reviews the literature through the lens of the identity capital framework, and discusses the applicability of this framework to the experiences of youth aging out of foster care.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:46:y:2014:i:c:p:78-84
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.08.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Park, Sunggeun (Ethan) & Powers, Jenna & Okpych, Nathanael J. & Courtney, Mark E., 2020. "Predictors of foster youths’ participation in their transitional independent living plan (TILP) development: Calling for collaborative case plan decision-making processes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    2. Sarri, Rosemary C. & Stoffregen, Elizabeth & Ryan, Joseph P., 2016. "Running away from child welfare placements: Justice system entry risk," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 191-197.
    3. Glynn, Natalie, 2021. "Understanding care leavers as youth in society: A theoretical framework for studying the transition out of care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    4. 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.
    5. Doucet, Melanie M. & Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Eldeeb, Nehal, 2022. "Independent living programs and services for youth 'aging out' of care in Canada and the U.S.: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    6. Atwool, Nicola, 2020. "Transition from care: Are we continuing to set care leavers up to fail in New Zealand?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    7. Thulien, Naomi S. & Gastaldo, Denise & McCay, Elizabeth & Hwang, Stephen W., 2019. "“I want to be able to show everyone that it is possible to go from being nothing in the world to being something”: Identity as a determinant of social integration," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 118-126.
    8. 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).
    9. Lindner, Abigail Rose & Hanlon, Ryan, 2024. "Outcomes of youth with foster care experiences based on permanency outcome – Adoption, aging out, long-term foster care, and reunification: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    10. Artamonova, Alyona & Guerreiro, Maria das Dores & Höjer, Ingrid, 2020. "Time and context shaping the transition from out-of-home care to adulthood in Portugal," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    11. Opsal, Tara & Eman, Rebecca, 2018. "Invisible vulnerability: Participant perceptions of a campus-based program for students without caregivers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 617-627.

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