‘Not Independent Enough’: Exploring the Tension Between Independence and Interdependence among Former Youth in Foster Care who are Emerging Adults.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	‘Not Independent Enough’: Exploring the Tension Between Independence and Interdependence among Former Youth in Foster Care who are Emerging Adults.
Authors:	Hokanson, Kim, Golden, Kate E., Singer, Erin, Berzin, Stephanie Cosner
Source:	Child Welfare. 2019, Vol. 97 Issue 5, p141-157. 17p.
Subjects:	Foster home care, Intellect, Interpersonal relations, Interviewing, Liberty, Research methodology, Self-efficacy, Thematic analysis
Abstract:	A long-standing belief in the value of independence has led to an emphasis on self-sufficiency in our programming, policy, and practice responses toward youth aging out of the foster care system—an ideal that often is difficult for young people to achieve. How-ever, a growing body of research on interdependence suggests that healthy connections to trusted adults may better help youth navigate the transition to adulthood. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 youth explored conceptualizations of independence in the context of emancipation. Using thematic content analysis, themes indicate contradictory and deterministic ideas about self-sufficiency and adulthood. Findings imply tensions between independence and a developmentally normative need for interdependence during the period of emerging adulthood [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	A long-standing belief in the value of independence has led to an emphasis on self-sufficiency in our programming, policy, and practice responses toward youth aging out of the foster care system—an ideal that often is difficult for young people to achieve. How-ever, a growing body of research on interdependence suggests that healthy connections to trusted adults may better help youth navigate the transition to adulthood. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 youth explored conceptualizations of independence in the context of emancipation. Using thematic content analysis, themes indicate contradictory and deterministic ideas about self-sufficiency and adulthood. Findings imply tensions between independence and a developmentally normative need for interdependence during the period of emerging adulthood [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	00094021