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Care leavers as helpers: Motivations for and benefits of helping others

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  • Melkman, Eran
  • Mor-Salwo, Yifat
  • Mangold, Katharina
  • Zeller, Maren
  • Benbenishty, Rami

Abstract

Much of the attention concerning youth in care focuses on the ways they are being helped and supported. This study focuses on the motivations and experiences which lead youth in care to assume a helper role, the meaning they ascribe to such a role and the benefits consequently gained. The study sample consisted of 28 Israeli and German care leavers, aged 18–26, who had begun, were about to begin or had already finished higher education. The results show various motivations for assuming a helper role e.g. socialization through early parental roles within biological families, modeling by significant others, and exposure to pro-social values and opportunities for volunteering within the care systems. The ways that these young people support others vary. Some volunteer within their communities, some support members of their family of origin, and others integrated the idea of supporting others into their career choice. According to these young people, assuming a helper role provided a strong sense of purpose in life and contributed to their self-efficacy, social connectedness and ability to cope with their adverse past. In particular, supporting others seems to reflect care leavers' wish to lead a normal life.

Suggested Citation

  • Melkman, Eran & Mor-Salwo, Yifat & Mangold, Katharina & Zeller, Maren & Benbenishty, Rami, 2015. "Care leavers as helpers: Motivations for and benefits of helping others," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 41-48.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:54:y:2015:i:c:p:41-48
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.05.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jackson, Sonia & Cameron, Claire, 2012. "Leaving care: Looking ahead and aiming higher," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1107-1114.
    2. Unrau, Yvonne A. & Seita, John R. & Putney, Kristin S., 2008. "Former foster youth remember multiple placement moves: A journey of loss and hope," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(11), pages 1256-1266, November.
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    5. 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.
    6. Hass, Michael & Allen, Quaylan & Amoah, Michelle, 2014. "Turning points and resilience of academically successful foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 387-392.
    7. Hass, Michael & Graydon, Kelly, 2009. "Sources of resiliency among successful foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 457-463, April.
    8. Pritzker, Suzanne & LaChapelle, Alicia & Tatum, Jeremy, 2012. "“We need their help”: Encouraging and discouraging adolescent civic engagement through Photovoice," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(11), pages 2247-2254.
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    Cited by:

    1. Okland, Idun & Oterholm, Inger, 2022. "Strengthening supportive networks for care leavers: A scoping review of social support interventions in child welfare services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).

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