Risk for arrest: The role of social bonds in protecting foster youth making the transition to adulthood.

Abstract

This study examines a sample of foster youth at the onset of the transition to adulthood and explores how social bonds are related to the risk of arrest during adulthood. Drawing from official arrest records, event history models are used to examine the time to arrest. Because individuals may be at risk for different types of crime, competing risk regression models are used to distinguish among arrests for drug-related, nonviolent, or violent crimes. Between the ages of 17–18 and 24, 46% of former foster youth experience an arrest. Arrests were evenly distributed across drug, nonviolent, and violent crimes columns. Although findings fail to support the significance of social bonds to interpersonal domains, bonds to employment and education are associated with a lower risk for arrest. Child welfare policy and practice implications for building connections and protections around foster youth are discussed.

Life satisfaction in the transition from care to adulthood: the contribution of readiness to leave care and social support

“…), the contribution of parental support to their lives afterwards is not clear (Cusick et al . ). The current findings emphasize that for at least one year after the young people leave care, good relationships with their mothers, despite any complexity, contribute positively to their lives.…”

“…However, a recent analysis of data from the longitudinal Midwest study of Cusick et al . () found only weak relationship between perceived social support and the risk for arrest among young people who aged out of care, which could indicate that social support may not always be enough.…”

“…In addition, social support is recognized by researchers and policy makers as one of the factors that can contribute to better adjustment for life after care. However, a recent analysis of data from the longitudinal Midwest study of Cusick et al (2012) found only weak relationship between perceived social support and the risk for arrest among young people who aged out of care, which could indicate that social support may not always be enough.…”

Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Management of Youth Involved With the Child Welfare System

“…6,48,[57][58][59] In adulthood, elevated physical, mental health, and substance use risks persist, in addition to increased rates of low academic achievement, unemployment, low income, disability, poverty, lack of health insurance, homelessness, and engagement in illegal behavior. 56,[60][61][62][63][64][65] Despite guidelines for screening and evaluating youth entering the child welfare system for behavioral health needs, well-documented high rates of behavioral health needs and multiple reports of disproportionately high rates of mental health use, and expenditures by youth involved with the child welfare system, significant unmet or underserved behavioral health needs exist. The National Surveys of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW), 2 national longitudinal studies of youth and families referred to the child welfare system, provide valuable information regarding behavioral health needs and underuse of services.…”

Typologies of substance use and illegal behaviors: A comparison of emerging adults with histories of foster care and the general population

“…In addition, several studies have found that approximately a third of former foster care youth have been arrested after leaving foster care (Barth, 1990; Courtney et al, 2005; Havalchak, White, & O’Brien, 2008). Using data from the Midwest Study (n=728), Cusick, Havlicek, and Courtney (2012) found that among young adults transitioning out of foster care, arrests were evenly distributed among violent, property and drug offenses.…”