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In their own words: Overcoming barriers during the transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities who experienced foster care

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  • Harwick, Robin M.
  • Lindstrom, Lauren
  • Unruh, Deanne

Abstract

The transition to adulthood can be especially challenging for youth who experience the foster care system. These challenges are magnified for youth with disabilities, who account for at least 40–47% of all children in foster care (Powers et al., 2012). In order to move from a deficit-based to a strength-based approach, this qualitative study focused on understanding the lived experience of transitioning to adulthood for alumni of foster care with disabilities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven young adults who had exited care over a six-month time period. Participants described their journeys from foster care to independence and articulated a vision for a successful adulthood. Key themes that emerged included a desire for stability and personal fulfillment in adult life. Participants also identified common barriers encountered including unmet mental health needs and lack of disability awareness or the implications of mental health diagnosis. Personal strengths that helped overcome those barriers included resilience, advocacy, and self-determination.

Suggested Citation

  • Harwick, Robin M. & Lindstrom, Lauren & Unruh, Deanne, 2017. "In their own words: Overcoming barriers during the transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities who experienced foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 338-346.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:73:y:2017:i:c:p:338-346
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.01.011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pecora, Peter J. & Kessler, Ronald C. & O'Brien, Kirk & White, Catherine Roller & Williams, Jason & Hiripi, Eva & English, Diana & White, James & Herrick, Mary Anne, 2006. "Educational and employment outcomes of adults formerly placed in foster care: Results from the Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(12), pages 1459-1481, December.
    2. 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.
    3. Andrew Halpern, 1994. "Quality of life for students with disabilities in transition from school to adulthood," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 193-236, August.
    4. Powers, Laurie E. & Geenen, Sarah & Powers, Jennifer & Pommier-Satya, Summer & Turner, Alison & Dalton, Lawrence D. & Drummond, Diann & Swank, Paul, 2012. "My Life: Effects of a longitudinal, randomized study of self-determination enhancement on the transition outcomes of youth in foster care and special education," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(11), pages 2179-2187.
    5. Daining, Clara & DePanfilis, Diane, 2007. "Resilience of youth in transition from out-of-home care to adulthood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(9), pages 1158-1178, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dumont, Annie & Lanctôt, Nadine & Paquette, Geneviève, 2022. "“I had a shitty past; I want a great future.”: Hopes and fears of vulnerable adolescent girls aging out of care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    2. Nho, Choong Rai & Park, Eun Hye & McCarthy, Mary L., 2017. "Case studies of successful transition from out-of-home placement to young adulthood in Korea," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 315-324.
    3. Bennwik, Ingri-Hanne Braenne & Oterholm, Inger & Kelly, Berni, 2023. "‘My disability was my own responsibility’: An institutional ethnography of the transitional experiences of disabled young people leaving care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    4. Power, Luke & Hardy, Mark, 2024. "Predictors of care leavers’ health outcomes: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).

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