ABSTRACT

The period of transition from foster care to independent living is frequently associated with poor outcomes. While some studies have conveyed patterns of resilience among transition-age foster youth, additional research is needed to examine its stability over time. The present study used data from the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) to examine the rates and stability of positive, or “resilient” outcomes among foster youth at ages 19 and 21 (N = 4,631). We included domains such as education, employment, and risky behaviors in our assessment of resilient outcomes. About 40% of youth met the criteria for resilience at ages 19 and 21 (i.e., “sustained resilience” group), an additional 28% met the criteria for resilience at one time point only (i.e., “periodic resilience” group), and 30% did not meet the criteria for resilience at any point (i.e., “sustained non-resilience” group). Several risk, protective, and child welfare factors were associated with manifestations of resilient outcomes during the period of transition to adulthood. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.

摘要

从寄养过渡到独立生活的时期通常与不良结果有关。虽然一些研究已经传达了过渡年龄寄养青年的复原力模式，但需要进行更多研究来检验其随时间推移的稳定性。本研究使用来自全国转型青年数据库 (NYTD) 和收养与寄养分析和报告系统 (AFCARS) 的数据来检查 19 岁和 21 岁寄养青年的积极或“弹性”结果的比率和稳定性( ñ= 4,631)。我们将教育、就业和风险行为等领域纳入我们对弹性结果的评估中。大约 40% 的青年在 19 岁和 21 岁时符合复原力标准（即“持续复原力”组），另有 28% 仅在某个时间点达到复原力标准（即“周期性复原力”组），以及30% 的人在任何时候都不符合复原力标准（即“持续无复原力”组）。在向成年期过渡期间，一些风险、保护和儿童福利因素与弹性结果的表现有关。讨论了对政策、实践和研究的影响。