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Sexual and gender minority disproportionality and disparities in child welfare: A population-based study

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  • Wilson, Bianca D.M.
  • Kastanis, Angeliki A.

Abstract

Empirical research is needed to support ongoing efforts to improve services for sexual and gender minority youth in foster care. Further, data on the presence of sexual and gender minority youth within the child welfare system are needed to encourage counties that have not yet begun to engage in any efforts to address the unique needs and barriers to permanency for these youth. The current study reports on the findings of the Los Angeles Foster Youth Survey (LAFYS) which was designed to assess the proportion of youth placed in the Los Angeles County public child welfare system who are LGBTQ and to examine their experiences in communities, schools, and foster care. Findings indicate that approximately 19% of Los Angeles foster youth are LGBTQ. This proportion of youth is significantly higher than estimates of adolescent and young adult sexual and gender minority identification rates in the general population. Further, analyses also indicate that sexual and gender minority youth in this study are less satisfied with their child welfare system experience, are more likely to experience homelessness, are moved around to more placements, and are experiencing higher levels of emotional distress compared to their non-LGBTQ counterparts.

Suggested Citation

  • Wilson, Bianca D.M. & Kastanis, Angeliki A., 2015. "Sexual and gender minority disproportionality and disparities in child welfare: A population-based study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 11-17.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:58:y:2015:i:c:p:11-17
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.08.016
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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.
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    2. Goldberg, Abbie E. & Tornello, Samantha & Farr, Rachel & Smith, JuliAnna Z. & Miranda, Liam, 2020. "Barriers to adoption and foster care and openness to child characteristics among transgender adults," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    3. Atteberry-Ash, Brittanie & Kattari, Shanna K. & Speer, Stephanie Rachel & Guz, Samantha & Kattari, Leo, 2019. "School safety experiences of high school youth across sexual orientation and gender identity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.
    4. Scannapieco, Maria & Painter, Kirstin R. & Blau, Gary, 2018. "A comparison of LGBTQ youth and heterosexual youth in the child welfare system: Mental health and substance abuse occurrence and outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 39-46.
    5. 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).
    6. Austin, Ashley & Craig, Shelley L. & Matarese, Marlene & Greeno, Elizabeth J. & Weeks, Angela & Betsinger, S. Aaron, 2021. "Preliminary effectiveness of an LGBTQ+ affirmative parenting intervention with foster parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    7. González Álvarez, Rodrigo & Hofman, Sterre & ten Brummelaar, Mijntje & López López, Mónica, 2023. "Care professionals’ perspectives and roles on resilience among LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care: A multidimensional perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    8. Ramseyer Winter, Virginia & Brandon-Friedman, Richard A. & Ely, Gretchen E., 2016. "Sexual health behaviors and outcomes among current and former foster youth: A review of the literature," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 1-14.
    9. Brodie Fraser & Nevil Pierse & Elinor Chisholm & Hera Cook, 2019. "LGBTIQ+ Homelessness: A Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-13, July.
    10. PettyJohn, Morgan E. & Reid, Taylor A. & Miller, Elizabeth & Bogen, Katherine W. & McCauley, Heather L., 2021. "Reproductive coercion, intimate partner violence, and pregnancy risk among adolescent women with a history of foster care involvement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    11. Salerno, John P. & Kachingwe, Olivia N. & Fish, Jessica N. & Parekh, Eshana & Geddings-Hayes, Melanie & Boekeloo, Bradley O. & Aparicio, Elizabeth M., 2020. "“Even if you think you can trust them, don’t trust them”: An exploratory analysis of the lived experiences of sexual health among sexual minority girls in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).

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