Purpose

Quantitative studies reveal considerable negative adult life outcomes for those who emancipate from the foster care system. This qualitative study of emancipated youth sheds light on how and why these outcomes occur.

Method

Sixteen participants were asked to recount their life stories in their own words from the time of foster care emancipation to the present, along with some description of their experiences while in care.

Results

Results show a common experience of negative outcomes following emancipation in the areas of education, employment, income, housing, relationships, and mental health, consistent with quantitative studies on this population.

Discussion

Findings demonstrate that a lack of human and social capital, in the form of instability of foster care homes, mentoring, and life skills training are to blame for negative life outcomes. Participants offer specific suggestions for improving the foster care system and emancipation process to develop greater resilience and more positive life outcomes for foster care youth.

中文翻译：

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寄养后的生活：人力和社会资本对解放后成果的重要性

目的

定量研究表明，对于那些从寄养系统中解放出来的人来说，成年生活的负面影响相当大。这项对解放青年的定性研究揭示了这些结果如何以及为何发生。

方法

十六名参与者被要求用自己的话讲述他们从寄养解放到现在的生活故事，并描述他们在看护期间的经历。

结果

结果显示，在教育、就业、收入、住房、人际关系和心理健康等领域解放后，普遍出现了负面结果，这与对该人群的定量研究一致。

讨论

调查结果表明，缺乏人力和社会资本，以寄养院的不稳定、指导和生活技能培训的形式，是造成负面生活结果的罪魁祸首。参与者为改善寄养制度和解放过程提供了具体建议，以培养寄养青年更大的复原力和更积极的生活成果。