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Sexual health outcomes for young people in state care: Cross-sectional analysis of a national survey and views of social care professionals in Wales

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  • Roberts, Louise
  • Long, Sara Jayne
  • Young, Honor
  • Hewitt, Gillian
  • Murphy, Simon
  • Moore, Graham F.

Abstract

This paper draws upon data from two separate studies to consider sexual health outcomes for young people in state care in Wales. Cross sectional analysis of the School Health Research Network Survey (2015) examined sexual health behaviours and outcomes of young people in foster care compared to those living in private households. The findings are contextualised with qualitative data (collected 2016) from social care professionals about their practice experiences of supporting sexual health development and seeking to prevent early pregnancy for young people in state care. Findings suggest that young people in state care in Wales experience poorer sexual health outcomes compared to those not in care. Insights from professionals suggest that whilst the state care system has the potential to identify and respond to young people's needs, its effectiveness can be compromised by issues of resources, value-based judgements related to the age at which young people could and should be sexually active, and individual choice and determinism. It is suggested that statutory monitoring of sexual health related outcomes is required, together with a review of policy and practice ‘with’, rather than ‘for’, young people in state care. Finally it is argued that increased attention on the quality as well as the quantity of relationships young people in state care have with carers and professionals may provide a simple but powerful policy approach in continued efforts to secure parity in respect of sexual health and development.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberts, Louise & Long, Sara Jayne & Young, Honor & Hewitt, Gillian & Murphy, Simon & Moore, Graham F., 2018. "Sexual health outcomes for young people in state care: Cross-sectional analysis of a national survey and views of social care professionals in Wales," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 281-288.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:89:y:2018:i:c:p:281-288
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.04.044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matta Oshima, Karen M. & Narendorf, Sarah Carter & McMillen, J. Curtis, 2013. "Pregnancy risk among older youth transitioning out of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 1760-1765.
    2. Bullock, Roger & Courtney, Mark E. & Parker, Roy & Sinclair, Ian & Thoburn, June, 2006. "Can the corporate state parent?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(11), pages 1344-1358, November.
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    4. Ahrens, Kym R. & Spencer, Renee & Bonnar, Mavis & Coatney, Alexis & Hall, Tyson, 2016. "Qualitative evaluation of historical and relational factors influencing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection risks in foster youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 245-252.
    5. King, Bryn & Putnam-Hornstein, Emily & Cederbaum, Julie A. & Needell, Barbara, 2014. "A cross-sectional examination of birth rates among adolescent girls in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 179-186.
    6. Robertson, Roni Diamant, 2013. "The invisibility of adolescent sexual development in foster care: Seriously addressing sexually transmitted infections and access to services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 493-504.
    7. Roberts, Louise & Meakings, Sarah & Forrester, Donald & Smith, Audra & Shelton, Katherine, 2017. "Care-leavers and their children placed for adoption," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 355-361.
    8. James, Sigrid & Montgomery, Susanne B. & Leslie, Laurel K. & Zhang, Jinjin, 2009. "Sexual risk behaviors among youth in the child welfare system," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 990-1000, September.
    9. Sala Roca, Josefina & Jariot García, Mercè & Villalba Biarnés, Andreu & Rodríguez, Montserrat, 2009. "Analysis of factors involved in the social inclusion process of young people fostered in residential care institutions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(12), pages 1251-1257, December.
    10. Aparicio, Elizabeth & Pecukonis, Edward V. & O'Neale, Shalita, 2015. "“The love that I was missing”: Exploring the lived experience of motherhood among teen mothers in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 44-54.
    11. 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.
    12. Svoboda, Deborah V. & Shaw, Terry V. & Barth, Richard P. & Bright, Charlotte Lyn, 2012. "Pregnancy and parenting among youth in foster care: A review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 867-875.
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    Cited by:

    1. Smales, Madelaine & Savaglio, Melissa & Webster, Susan & Skouteris, Helen & Pizzirani, Bengianni & O'Donnell, Renee & Green (nee Cox), Rachael, 2020. "Are the voices of young people living in out-of-home care represented in research examining their health?: A systematic review of the literature," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    2. Roberts, Louise & Maxwell, Nina & Elliott, Martin, 2019. "When young people in and leaving state care become parents: What happens and why?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.

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