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"She holds my hand" The experiences of foster youth with their natural mentors

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  • Greeson, Johanna K.P.
  • Bowen, Natasha K.

Abstract

The vulnerability and adversity that youth frequently experience following aging out of foster care are well-documented. However, much less is known about the positive experiences and healthy relationships that may buffer these youth from the negative outcomes following emancipation. Utilizing a strengths perspective, this exploratory study gathered qualitative data about the experiences of older foster youth with their natural mentors. Although other at-risk and marginalized groups are represented in the natural mentoring literature, representation of female foster youth of color is scarce. Seven female foster youth of color were individually interviewed using a semi-structured protocol. Data were analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Key themes identified included: (1) relationship characteristics that matter, (2) support I receive, (3) how I've changed, (4) thoughts on my future, and (5) what I think about foster care. Implications for practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Bowen, Natasha K., 2008. ""She holds my hand" The experiences of foster youth with their natural mentors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(10), pages 1178-1188, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:30:y:2008:i:10:p:1178-1188
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dworsky, Amy, 2005. "The economic self-sufficiency of Wisconsin's former foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(10), pages 1085-1118, October.
    2. Cook, Ronna J., 1994. "Are we helping foster care youth prepare for their future?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(3-4), pages 213-229.
    3. Geenen, Sarah & Powers, Laurie E., 2007. ""Tomorrow is another problem": The experiences of youth in foster care during their transition into adulthood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(8), pages 1085-1101, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Salazar, Amy M. & Schelbe, Lisa, 2021. "Factors associated with post-college success for foster care alumni college graduates," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    2. Hobbs, Sue D. & Bederian-Gardner, Daniel & Ogle, Christin M. & Bakanosky, Sarah & Narr, Rachel & Goodman, Gail S., 2021. "Foster youth and at-risk non-foster youth: A propensity score and structural equation modeling analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    3. Kelley, Margaret S. & Lee, Meggan J., 2018. "When natural mentors matter: Unraveling the relationship with delinquency," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 319-328.
    4. Jay Miller, J. & Benner, Kalea & Kheibari, Athena & Washington, Earl, 2017. "Conceptualizing on-campus support programs for collegiate foster youth and alumni: A plan for action," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 57-67.
    5. Cushing, Gretta & Samuels, Gina Miranda & Kerman, Ben, 2014. "Profiles of relational permanence at 22: Variability in parental supports and outcomes among young adults with foster care histories," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 73-83.
    6. Calheiros, Maria Manuela & Garrido, Margarida Vaz & Lopes, Diniz & Patrício, Joana Nunes, 2015. "Social images of residential care: How children, youth and residential care institutions are portrayed?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 159-169.
    7. Duke, Taylor & Farruggia, Susan P. & Germo, Gary R., 2017. "“I don't know where I would be right now if it wasn't for them”: Emancipated foster care youth and their important non-parental adults," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 65-73.
    8. Prowell, Ashley Nicole & Williams, Javonda, 2021. "Mentoring as a protective factor: Exploring its impact on childhood sexual abuse survivors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    9. Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Thompson, Allison E. & Ali, Samira & Wenger, Rebecca Stern, 2015. "It's good to know that you got somebody that's not going anywhere: Attitudes and beliefs of older youth in foster care about child welfare-based natural mentoring," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 140-149.
    10. 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.
    11. Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Usher, Lynn & Grinstein-Weiss, Michal, 2010. "One adult who is crazy about you: Can natural mentoring relationships increase assets among young adults with and without foster care experience?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 565-577, April.
    12. Cesar, Gabriel T & Decker, Scott H., 2020. "“CPS Sucks, but… I think I’m better off in the system:” Family, social support, & arts-based mentorship in child protective services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    13. Avery, Rosemary J., 2010. "An examination of theory and promising practice for achieving permanency for teens before they age out of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 399-408, March.
    14. Jay Miller, J. & Benner, Kalea & Pope, Natalie & Dumas, Tamikia & Damron, Larry J. & Segress, Melissa & Slone, Melissa & Thrasher, Shawndaya & Niu, Chunling, 2017. "Conceptualizing effective foster parent mentor programs: A participatory planning process," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 411-418.
    15. Meltzer, Ariella & Muir, Kristy & Craig, Lyn, 2016. "Being trusted: The perspectives of trusted adults about engaging with young people," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 58-66.
    16. Schelbe, Lisa, 2018. "Struggles, successes, and setbacks: Youth aging out of child welfare in a subsidized housing program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 298-308.
    17. Kelly, Cara & Thornton, Anthony & Anthony, Elizabeth K. & Krysik, Judy, 2021. "“Love. Stability. Boundaries.” Kinship perspectives of social-emotional well-being of youth residing in out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    18. Blakeslee, Jennifer E. & Best, Jared I., 2019. "Understanding support network capacity during the transition from foster care: Youth-identified barriers, facilitators, and enhancement strategies," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 220-230.
    19. Thompson, Allison E. & Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Brunsink, Ashleigh M., 2016. "Natural mentoring among older youth in and aging out of foster care: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 40-50.
    20. Munson, Michelle R. & Smalling, Susan E. & Spencer, Renée & Scott Jr., Lionel D. & Tracy, Elizabeth M., 2010. "A steady presence in the midst of change: Non-kin natural mentors in the lives of older youth exiting foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 527-535, April.
    21. Arnau-Sabatés, Laura & Gilligan, Robbie, 2015. "What helps young care leavers to enter the world of work? Possible lessons learned from an exploratory study in Ireland and Catalonia," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 185-191.
    22. Côté, Carole & Clément, Marie-Ève, 2022. "Let’s talk about love: Perceptions of children in residential care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    23. Sapiro, Beth, 2020. "Assessing trustworthiness: Marginalized youth and the central relational paradox in treatment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    24. Meltzer, Ariella & Saunders, Isabella, 2020. "Cultivating supportive communities for young people – Mentor pathways into and following a youth mentoring program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).

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