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Improving practice: The importance of connections in establishing positive identity and meaning in the lives of vulnerable young people

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  • Noble-Carr, Debbie
  • Barker, Justin
  • McArthur, Morag
  • Woodman, Elise

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a participatory qualitative study investigating the role and potency of identity and meaning in the lives of vulnerable young people. In-depth interviews with 24 young people revealed the importance of connectedness in fostering positive identity and meaning in vulnerable young people's lives. Five critical domains for building positive identity and meaning emerged: caring relationships; participation and contribution within their communities; achieving a sense of belonging; competence; and hope. Young people's experiences uncovered that connectedness lies at the heart of all of these domains, and is therefore the pathway for vulnerable young people to attain positive identity and meaning. The findings reinforce what we know about the importance of connectedness for vulnerable young people and provided insights into how young people want to be supported with these issues. This article critically examines some of the difficulties for support workers in facilitating connectedness for young people and considers why these connections are not always developed. Practical suggestions are provided for how youth support workers may be able to overcome these challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Noble-Carr, Debbie & Barker, Justin & McArthur, Morag & Woodman, Elise, 2014. "Improving practice: The importance of connections in establishing positive identity and meaning in the lives of vulnerable young people," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P3), pages 389-396.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:47:y:2014:i:p3:p:389-396
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.10.017
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    1. Wexler, Lisa Marin & DiFluvio, Gloria & Burke, Tracey K., 2009. "Resilience and marginalized youth: Making a case for personal and collective meaning-making as part of resilience research in public health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(4), pages 565-570, August.
    2. Ward, Harriet, 2011. "Continuities and discontinuities: Issues concerning the establishment of a persistent sense of self amongst care leavers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(12), pages 2512-2518.
    3. Brewer, Joanne D. & Sparkes, Andrew C., 2011. "Young people living with parental bereavement: Insights from an ethnographic study of a UK childhood bereavement service," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(2), pages 283-290, January.
    4. Samuels, Gina Miranda & Pryce, Julia M., 2008. ""What doesn't kill you makes you stronger": Survivalist self-reliance as resilience and risk among young adults aging out of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(10), pages 1198-1210, October.
    5. Hiles, Dominic & Moss, Duncan & Thorne, Lisa & Wright, John & Dallos, Rudi, 2014. "“So what am I?” — Multiple perspectives on young people's experience of leaving care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1-15.
    6. DiFulvio, Gloria T., 2011. "Sexual minority youth, social connection and resilience: From personal struggle to collective identity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(10), pages 1611-1617, May.
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    2. Corrales, Tatiana & Waterford, Michelle & Goodwin-Smith, Ian & Wood, Leanne & Yourell, Todd & Ho, Coco, 2016. "Childhood adversity, sense of belonging and psychosocial outcomes in emerging adulthood: A test of mediated pathways," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 110-119.
    3. Offiong, Asari & Powell, Terrinieka W. & Lewis, Quiana & Smith, Bianca & Prioleau, Morgan, 2020. "“I missed open arms”: The need for connectedness among Black youth affected by parental drug use," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    4. Foster, Cynthia Ewell & Horwitz, Adam & Thomas, Alvin & Opperman, Kiel & Gipson, Polly & Burnside, Amanda & Stone, Deborah M. & King, Cheryl A., 2017. "Connectedness to family, school, peers, and community in socially vulnerable adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 321-331.
    5. Neagu, Mariela & Sebba, Judy, 2019. "Who do they think they are: Making sense of self in residential care, foster care, and adoption," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 1-1.
    6. Silva, Carla Sofia & Calheiros, Maria Manuela, 2022. "Youth’s self-construction in the context of residential care: The looking-glass self within the youth-caregiver relationship," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    7. Sulimani-Aidan, Yafit, 2020. "Social networks during the transition to adulthood from the perspective of Israeli care leavers and their social workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    8. Gallardo, Kathryn R. & Santa Maria, Diane & Narendorf, Sarah & Markham, Christine M. & Swartz, Michael D. & Batiste, Charles M., 2020. "Access to healthcare among youth experiencing homelessness: Perspectives from healthcare and social service providers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    9. Meltzer, Ariella & Muir, Kristy & Craig, Lyn, 2016. "Being trusted: The perspectives of trusted adults about engaging with young people," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 58-66.
    10. Arnau-Sabatés, Laura & Gilligan, Robbie, 2015. "What helps young care leavers to enter the world of work? Possible lessons learned from an exploratory study in Ireland and Catalonia," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 185-191.

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