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Functional outcomes among sexual minority youth emancipating from the child welfare system

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  • Shpiegel, Svetlana
  • Simmel, Cassandra

Abstract

The heterogeneity of youth emancipating from the foster care system makes it difficult to establish the extent to which their functional outcomes are equivalent across different subgroups. In the present study, we use secondary data from the Multi Site Evaluation of Foster Youth Programs (MSEYP) to explore the challenges faced by sexual minority youths in comparison to their heterosexual peers. We focus on measurements of key independent living outcomes at age 19 to obtain a broad picture of how sexual minority youth fare during the period of transition to adulthood. Bivariate results indicate that the deficits for sexual minority youth are noteworthy across all categories of functional outcomes (i.e. education, employment, homelessness and financial stability). Furthermore, results from binary logistic regression models indicate that sexual orientation was associated with each category of functional outcomes, even when controlling for demographics and child welfare history factors. Findings suggest that sexual minority youth leaving foster care are particularly vulnerable to negative outcomes and may require more intensive supports during the period of transition to adulthood. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Shpiegel, Svetlana & Simmel, Cassandra, 2016. "Functional outcomes among sexual minority youth emancipating from the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 101-108.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:61:y:2016:i:c:p:101-108
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.12.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amy Dworsky, "undated". "The Economic Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care," Mathematica Policy Research Reports b2f4fb67aab149f9a5e75f558, Mathematica Policy Research.
    2. 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.
    3. repec:mpr:mprres:7635 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Montgomery, Paul & Donkoh, Charles & Underhill, Kristen, 2006. "Independent living programs for young people leaving the care system: The state of the evidence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(12), pages 1435-1448, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gatwiri, Kathomi & Cameron, Nadine & McPherson, Lynne & Mitchell, Janise, 2022. "Care experienced LGBTQA + young people in out-of-home care in Australia: A case study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    2. Schaub, Jason & Stander, Willem J. & Montgomery, Paul, 2022. "LGBTQ+ Young People’s Health and Well-being Experiences in Out-of-home Social Care: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    3. Gatwiri, Kathomi & Cameron, Nadine & Mcpherson, Lynne & Parmenter, Natalie, 2020. "What is known about child sexual exploitation in residential care in Australia? A systematic scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).

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