Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and neglect, have been shown to have longstanding negative consequences on a child’s development and outcomes. Studies have noted that there is variation in how youth in child welfare respond to adversity, yet few studies have examined the psychometrics of measures of resilience in this population. In particular, the 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14) is a

This article presents empirical findings about children’s experiences in the closed childcare institution service (CCIS) in Estonia and the assistance children receive from their own perspectives and those of parents and practitioners. The study draws on the lived experiences of 12 children/young people, four parents, and 26 practitioners working with children in need in the CCIS system through interviews

Cyberbullying, which has become more widespread with individuals’ increased use of technology, occurs when someone or a group of people intentionally harms by using technology. Millions of adolescents spend time in the online environment, yet little is known about the effects of psychological resilience, self-efficacy, and metacognition on the risk of cyberbullying. A total of 574 high school students

A large and growing number of colleges and universities have invested in the development of campus support programs (CSPs) that specifically aim to support students with experience in foster care (SEFC). However, the evidence base for CSPs remains quite limited. The current study seeks to contribute to the literature with a mixed methods evaluation of two CSPs in Georgia, one at a 2-year technical

Purpose The aim of this study is to analyze mothers’ narratives about their children’s life situation while living at domestic violence shelters in Sweden. More precisely, the analysis focuses on determining what aspects are highlighted as being most important for the children’s living situation during their stay. Method This study is based on interviews with mothers who have experience of living at

Juvenile Justice (JJ) involvement disproportionately impacts Black youth. While there is literature on the relationship between both connectedness and the perceived neighborhood environment (PNE) on mental health among Black youth, few studies focus on these aspects among Black youth in the juvenile justice system – particularly among those adjudicated guilty as serious offenders. Purpose: The current

The aim of the study was to examine the role of executive functioning on both alcohol and illegal substance use among a longitudinal sample of adolescent offenders. Time spent involved in the justice system places individuals at risk for substance use disorders, along with housing issues and an increased risk for future delinquent behavior. Executive function, or our decision-making processes, plays

Young people under child protection orders are a vulnerable group and their vulnerability and risk of exploitation increases if they leave approved out-of-home care placements (residential and foster care) and stay in unapproved arrangements. These arrangements are often temporary, insecure and may expose young people to exploitation and harm. Despite their heightened vulnerability, there are limited

This study explores Black Canadian youth’s relationship with religion and the impact religion has on their mental health and wellbeing. In addition, we probed promising practices for religious leaders and service providers who want to improve Black youth’s access to care. The results of this article draw from a larger study that aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to mental healthcare for

Foster parents serve a critical role in the child welfare system; however, many report being dissatisfied with their role. As such, dissatisfied foster parents are at risk of disruption and turnover, ultimately resulting in placement moves for youth in care. Placement moves have negative impacts on youth well-being, prompting a need to explore issues related to placement longevity related to foster

Adventure therapy (AT) settings are diverse and range from school and community settings to outdoor wilderness and bush settings. However, due to the complex and diverse nature of AT, the specific practices associated with the facilitation of AT can be unclear and have been referred to as the black box. To shine light into at least one corner of the black box and understand the practices of AT facilitators

Adverse childhood experiences research has shown that supportive and secure attachment experiences can buffer against stress exposure during periods of high brain development and promote new patterns of tolerance to stress. This article draws on attachment theory to critically examine the importance of positive relationships for youth who have experienced trauma in promoting the development of neural

Using a community-based participatory research approach, we conducted a survey of 218 food pantry recipients in the south Bronx to determine predictors of food insecurity and childhood hunger. In adjusted multiple regression models, statistically significant risk factors for food insecurity included: having one or more children and not having health insurance. Statistically significant protectors against

This study utilized a quasi-experimental, pretest–posttest design to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based program (Power of Dad; POD) for promoting inner-city, low-income, fatherless boys’ psychosocial well-being. This program provides these boys with a 5-month experiential curriculum that includes psychological health and social skills. Graduates from the program were compared to a control

This study utilizes the risk and resilience framework to understand the risk and protective correlates of moderate to high levels of juvenile justice involvement among post-adjudicated young women (N = 365). This exploratory model-building method utilized cross-sectional administrative data collected through the Positive Achievement Change Tool. The analysis yielded the best model using five social

This study aimed to verify the relationship between parental abuse, ego-resilience, social stigma, career barriers, and depressive symptoms among out-of-school youths. The data of 522 adolescents (mean age = 18.01 years) from the Dropout Youth Panel Survey conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute were used. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that female adolescents reported

This study examined how single and multiple types of maltreatment allegations differed for young people with child protective services (CPS) only and dual system (i.e., CPS and juvenile delinquency court petition) involvement by gender and race and ethnicity. Allegation types were documented for young people with CPS only or dual system involvement using linked CPS and Probation records for Los Angeles

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic thrust the world’s population into a crisis. Social workers and other professionals working with youth have been front-line witnesses to the accentuated negative impact of this public health emergency on youth and their families as well as to the creative adaptive strategies of youth and their families. Purpose: Because youth workers are often the first to identify and

According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have the right to voice their opinions and participate in decision-making in matters affecting their lives. Furthermore, professionals working with children have the responsibility to always make the best interests of the child the priority when contemplating decisions that have an impact on the child, including by ensuring

Transition-age youth with foster care involvement (TAY, ages 17–22) are at heightened risk for suicidal behavior. Despite this, mental health screenings are not standardized across child welfare (CW) systems and existing assessment tools are not designed for use with this specific population. As such, TAY are unlikely to be adequately screened for suicide risk and connected with needed services. In

Purpose: Adolescents in residential treatment (RT) encounter multiple obstacles upon discharge that can make maintaining treatment gains in the community challenging. This study examined relationships among parenting (sense of competence, practices), household chaos, and adolescent behavior problems in a sample of parents with adolescents in RT. Method: This exploratory cross-sectional study used convenience

This paper highlights findings from the first phase of an ongoing qualitative Youth Participatory Acton Research (YPAR) study with a group of students with foster care experience at a large public university in the Northeastern United States. The first phase of data collection consisted of a focus group designed and carried out by co-researchers, amongst themselves. Data was analyzed in two ways, by

Each year, approximately 20,000 youth in foster care transition to adulthood and independent living. A majority of these young people want to pursue postsecondary education, but they are less likely to enroll in postsecondary institutions than their peers who have not interacted with the child welfare system. To address this gap, federal and state programs have been implemented to address barriers

Employment is identified as a key factor that supports emerging adult Black men in reentry with making a successful the transition to adulthood. Although anti-Black racism creates barriers to them securing and maintaining legitimate employment, strength-based, education-focused alternative schools that are structured to meet their intersectional needs and experiences can help to promote their transition

Young adults aging out of the foster care system have received a good deal of attention over the years from policymakers, child welfare practitioners and researchers. Despite these efforts, youth aging out of the foster care system continue to have well-documented challenges when transitioning to adulthood. In this cross-sectional comparative study, we assess the outcomes of emancipated youth after

The purpose of this qualitative research study is to explore ways Black women college students with experiences in the foster care system construct meaning of their foster care experiences, and how these experiences have influenced their higher education experiences, and the current status of their racial identity development. Using semi-structured interviews, the participant’s narratives are constructed

Campus-based support programs serve an important function for students who have experienced foster care at some point in their lives, often providing necessary supports to students so that they can be successful in a college setting. These programs offer supports that aid in student retention and completion of degrees, thus increasing their chances for better outcomes later in life. One area which

Students with a foster care background experience significant disparity in enrollment and postsecondary completion when compared to their peers without foster care experience. A number of barriers exist that may impact college persistence and completion. Finances and inadequate financial aid are often identified as a primary concern for students with a foster care background who are attending college

Transitioning to adulthood is difficult for young people aging out of foster care. Research shows that this population faces substantial challenges in trying to avoid legal system involvement during this difficult period of life. Seeking to improve our understanding of the protective factors that mitigate the risks of legal system involvement among transition-age foster youth, this study focuses on