The Lived Experience of Youth in Congregate Care: Youth Perceptions of Safety, Relationships, and Support Through Qualitative Inquiry with 10 Young Adults.
Saved in:
| Title: | The Lived Experience of Youth in Congregate Care: Youth Perceptions of Safety, Relationships, and Support Through Qualitative Inquiry with 10 Young Adults. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Parmenter, Sarah1 Parmenter.10@osu.edu, Shockley McCarthy, Karla1, Benavides, Juan Lorenzo1, Bayar, Öznur2, Maguire Jack, Kathryn3, Yoon, Susan1 |
| Source: | Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal. Aug2025, Vol. 42 Issue 4, p467-480. 14p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Child welfare, *Psychological resilience, *Qualitative research, *Foster home care, *Emotions, *Psychological adaptation, *Experience, *Research methodology, *Interpersonal relations, *Adolescence, Patient safety, Interviewing, Questionnaires, Descriptive statistics, Teenagers' conduct of life, Thematic analysis, Social support, Residential care |
| Geographic Terms: | Ohio |
| Abstract: | This study explores the reported experiences of youth in congregate care facilities, focusing on their perceptions of support, relationships, and safety during their time in care. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 young adults, previously placed in group homes or residential facilities in Ohio, to identify themes related to their experiences. Three main themes resulted from the analysis: (1) lack of agency, (2) importance of relationships, and (3) coping and transitioning in congregate care. The findings revealed that participants felt a total lack of control over the decisions made on their behalf, and they felt powerless to advocate for their needs. Furthermore, participants reported a lack of support from facility staff, and they faced barriers in maintaining connections with their families. Despite these challenges, many participants demonstrated resilience and gained positive insights from their experiences in congregate care. This study highlights the need for improved support systems, increased focus on youth self-advocacy, and a better understanding of the complex experiences faced by youth in congregate care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | This study explores the reported experiences of youth in congregate care facilities, focusing on their perceptions of support, relationships, and safety during their time in care. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 young adults, previously placed in group homes or residential facilities in Ohio, to identify themes related to their experiences. Three main themes resulted from the analysis: (1) lack of agency, (2) importance of relationships, and (3) coping and transitioning in congregate care. The findings revealed that participants felt a total lack of control over the decisions made on their behalf, and they felt powerless to advocate for their needs. Furthermore, participants reported a lack of support from facility staff, and they faced barriers in maintaining connections with their families. Despite these challenges, many participants demonstrated resilience and gained positive insights from their experiences in congregate care. This study highlights the need for improved support systems, increased focus on youth self-advocacy, and a better understanding of the complex experiences faced by youth in congregate care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 07380151 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10560-024-00969-w |
