Ideals and Reality: Perceptions of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships Among Foster Youth

Forenza, Bradley; Bermea, Autumn M.; Rogers, Briana

doi:10.1007/s10560-017-0523-3

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Still, little research exists about the degree to which foster youth generally have access to social media or ICTs more broadly. A 2004 paper and intervention study that sought to reduce the digital divide for foster youth and families reported on a Casey Families needs-assessment, which found that only a third of foster youth used the internet, and one in ten used email (Finn, Kerman, & LeCornec, 2004 ). Although access is likely improved today, the scant existing research points to restriction of access to technology for foster youth (Badillo-Urquiola et al, 2017 , 2019 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Pew Internet Center found that 95% of teens now have smartphones or access to one (Anderson & Jiang, 2018 ). Yet, foster parents, group home staff, and child welfare administrators see foster youth at high risk of harm related to the use of these technologies, and therefore restrict their use (Badillo-Urquiola, Page, & Wisniewski, 2019 ; Forenza, Bermea, & Rogers, 2018 ; Stott, MacEachron, & Gustavsson, 2016 ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…high risk of harm related to the use of these technologies, and therefore restrict their use (Badillo-Urquiola, Page, & Wisniewski, 2019;Forenza, Bermea, & Rogers, 2018;Stott, MacEachron, & Gustavsson, 2016).…”

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confidence: 99%

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A Systematic Review of Internet Communication Technology Use by Youth in Foster Care

Sage

Jackson

2021

Child Adolesc Soc Work J

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This systematic narrative review of the literature reports on the experiences of foster youth regarding the use of Internet Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as social media, focusing only on studies that include youth voice. We searched seven databases for articles published internationally from 2010 to 2020 in which foster youth were interviewed regarding their beliefs about ICTs. Youth report benefits of ICTs including to their relationships and identity formation opportunities, and discuss risks of ICTs and how they manage them. ICTs may benefit positive youth development. Stakeholders may consider ways to assess and support healthy ICT use.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Systematic Review of Internet Communication Technology Use by Youth in Foster Care

Sage

Jackson

2021

Child Adolesc Soc Work J

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“…Former foster children are likely to have higher numbers of teen pregnancies (Combs et al , 2018) and multiple marriages and divorces as their spouses were unable to provide the emotional support they needed (Toms, 2022). Forenza et al (2017) found that foster youth who had formed a secure attachment with their caregivers were also more likely to develop a healthy, intimate peer relationship. Unfortunately, because of the transient placements of some foster youth, these relationships are not formed.…”

Section: Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 98%

A tenacious population: supporting former foster youth in higher ed

Toms

Collins

Campbell-Whatley

2022

JME

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Purpose The purpose of this exploratory paper is to define the characteristics of foster youth, discuss the impacts of trauma on their lives, present results from a foster youth survey conducted at a university in the Midwest to assess the needs of former foster youth and discuss the ways universities can support this vulnerable population of students. Several themes emerged from the study. The financial need emerged at the top. The number of essential needs was striking. For example, more than half of the respondents did not have their basic needs met. These needs included food, medical/dental services, clothing and transportation needs. Design/methodology/approach Faculty researchers who were part of a university task force developed a survey to assess the needs of former foster youth who were enrolled in classes at the time that this research was conducted. The survey was developed and disseminated through Qualtrics, a software that distributed survey links via email in a confidential manner. The survey consisted of a variety of general questions related to participants’ background and demographic information, as well as the specific needs and services that they were interested in receiving. The survey was sent out one-time peer week for three weeks in the late fall semester. Findings Findings indicated that 9% of respondents (n = 4) ranked the greatest areas of need as being financial assistance for school supplies, medical/dental care and financial aid advice. Similarly, 7% of respondents (n = 3) expressed the greatest needs as being affordable housing, housing during semester breaks, financial support for a laptop, financial counseling, counseling services, emergency financial assistance and internship and career counseling. Research limitations/implications Limitations of this research include the use of a small and homogenous participant sample size, with data collected from one university campus. Therefore, results do not necessarily generalize elsewhere and replication is necessary for other geographical regions that include additional participants from varying backgrounds. Because data were not collected from a control group of nonfoster students, it is also unknown whether the identified student needs from this research substantially differ from the general population. Practical implications All students do not need the same support, so a menu of services should be provided. These services could include care packages that include basic academic necessities (e.g., laptops, school supplies, book vouchers, health and beauty supplies), financial literacy training, mentorship opportunities, a one-credit course on independent living skills, providing connections to community resources (e.g., childcare, housing, employment) and targeted advising for this specific student population, many of which who are from the first generation and low-income backgrounds. Another opportunity is to provide, possibly mandate, professional development for faculty and staff on the characteristics and needs of these vulnerable students. Originality/value Institutions have an opportunity, and arguably an obligation, to identify these students as early as possible. This can be done through collaboration with state human service departments, high school counselors and using demographic data found in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. Recruiting, retaining and supporting this population of students are critical because many have needs similar to other marginalized populations that the authors are so intensely focused on.

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“…Few studies have examined the complex and cumulative conditions that affect how youth in care are able to engage in healthy intimate relationships. Recent research suggests young people in foster care are forming healthy, romantic partnerships and successfully accomplishing this normal stage of development despite their non-normative context (Ahrens et al, 2016; Forenza et al, 2018). The current study expands our understanding of the personal and contextual experiences of Black young people in foster care in their efforts to engage in physically and emotionally healthy intimate relationships.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Normative Sexual Health Development in Non-Normative Circumstances: Exploring Healthy Intimate Relationships Among Young People in Foster Care

Diamant-Wilson

Williams

2021

Journal of Adolescent Research

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While the sexual health risks among young people of color in foster care have been well-documented, healthy sexual development in this population has been less examined. The current study explored the experiences of Black youth in foster care and the factors that influenced their safer sex practices. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 sexually active Black participants (18–22 years old) in foster care from a large, Midwestern city in the United States. Grounded theory methods were used to (a) construct a conceptual framework illustrating the conditions the youth experienced that influenced their safer sex efforts, and (b) describe different types of intimate relationships that reflected their sexual health practices. Using specific strategies, the majority of the youth overcame obstacles and participated in positive sexual health practices. More than half (59%) reported they were in an intimate relationship for at least 6 months and either abstained from sex, used condoms 100% of the time, or employed safer sex methods. The findings suggest Black youth in state care can engage in positive sexual health practices and form healthy intimate relationships.

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Ideals and Reality: Perceptions of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships Among Foster Youth

Cited by 10 publications

References 34 publications

A Systematic Review of Internet Communication Technology Use by Youth in Foster Care

A Systematic Review of Internet Communication Technology Use by Youth in Foster Care

A tenacious population: supporting former foster youth in higher ed

Normative Sexual Health Development in Non-Normative Circumstances: Exploring Healthy Intimate Relationships Among Young People in Foster Care

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