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Post-permanency discontinuity: A longitudinal examination of outcomes for foster youth after adoption or guardianship

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  • Rolock, Nancy
  • White, Kevin R.

Abstract

For over two decades, federal policies and case practices in child welfare have shifted to prioritize legal permanence for children in foster care, and increasing numbers of children have been placed in permanent adoptive or guardianship homes. Despite this change, little research has examined the long-term stability of legally permanent adoptive and guardianship homes for former foster youth. This study used child welfare administrative records to track a population of 51,576 children in Illinois who exited foster care through adoption or guardianship for ten years or until the age of majority. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to describe the population, and a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was estimated to examine the relationship between child age and discontinuity, controlling for several pre-placement characteristics. Results indicated that the vast majority (87%) of children did not experience post-permanency discontinuity. In addition, African American children and children who had more moves in foster care had a higher hazard of discontinuity, while children placed with siblings and children who spent three or more years in foster care had a lower hazard of discontinuity. Study findings also indicated that prevention efforts should be targeted at families with adolescents. This study contributes significantly to the scant literature on long-term outcomes for adoptive and guardianship families, and suggests several areas for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Rolock, Nancy & White, Kevin R., 2016. "Post-permanency discontinuity: A longitudinal examination of outcomes for foster youth after adoption or guardianship," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 419-427.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:70:y:2016:i:c:p:419-427
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.10.025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goodwin, Bonni & Madden, Elissa, 2020. "Factors associated with adoption breakdown following implementation of the Fostering Connections Act: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    2. Goodwin, Bonni & Madden, Elissa & Singletary, Jon & Scales, T. Laine, 2020. "Adoption workers’ perspectives on adoption adjustment and the honeymoon period," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    3. Lopes Almeida, Maíra & Souza Schwochow, Monique & Bitencourt Frizzo, Giana, 2021. "Associations between symptoms of common mental disorders, parental satisfaction and consideration for adoption breakdown in Brazilian adoptive parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    4. Herbster, Julia M. & Ocasio, Kerrie, 2021. "The complex relationship between sibling contact and child and family well-being in foster care: An exploration of child and family functioning in a pre-permanency cohort," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    5. Wulczyn, Fred & Parolini, Arno & Schmits, Florie & Magruder, Joseph & Webster, Daniel, 2020. "Returning to foster care: Age and other risk factors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    6. Williams-Butler, Abigail, 2018. "Reducing delinquency among African American youth in foster care: Does gender make a difference in crossover prevention?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 563-571.
    7. Ball, Barbara & Sevillano, Lalaine & Faulkner, Monica & Belseth, Tymothy, 2021. "Agency, genuine support, and emotional connection: Experiences that promote relational permanency in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    8. Wijedasa, Dinithi & Selwyn, Julie, 2017. "Examining rates and risk factors for post-order adoption disruption in England and Wales through survival analyses," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 179-189.
    9. Rolock, Nancy & White, Kevin & Blakey, Joan M. & Ocasio, Kerrie & Korsch-Williams, Amy & Flanigan, Chelsea & Bai, Rong & Faulkner, Monica & Marra, Laura & Fong, Rowena, 2023. "Living apart after adoption or guardianship: Perspectives of adoptive parents and guardians," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).

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