‘There are a Lot of Good Things that Come Out of it at the End’: Voices of Resilience in Youth Formerly in Foster Care During Emerging Adulthood

Kim Hokanson, Sarah Elizabeth Neville, Samantha Teixeira, Erin Singer, Stephanie Cosner Berzin - Child Welfare

Abstract

Emerging adulthood, the developmental stage between ages 18 and 25, presents unique barriers to former foster youth, who experience higher rates of unplanned pregnancy and homelessness and poorer educational attainment than their peers during this time. This study uses interviews with 20 youth formerly in foster care who exhibit better-than-average outcomes to explore contextual aspects of resilience during emerging adulthood, elucidating how both relational and organizational support contribute to their resiliency. Implications for social work policy and practice are discussed.

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