(PS6-51) Navigating Transition: Examining Stigma, Resilience, and Support in Youth Aging out of Foster Care Using a Community Engaged Research Paradigm

A growing body of literature has drawn attention to the stressful nature of transitioning into adult roles for all youth (e.g., Masten et al., 2004; Schulenberg et al., 2004). The transition to adulthood may be particularly difficult for former foster care youth. Research on accompanying stressors (e.g., the removal from and/or loss of parents; multiple transitions in school, at home, and with peers and caretakers; the impact of institutional care) may make youth raised in foster care more vulnerable to internalized stigma about being in foster care. The effects of child maltreatment on developmental outcomes suggests that the long-enduring effects of child abuse and neglect may also negatively impact youth aging out of foster care (Azar & Bober, 1999; Azar et al., 2013; Azar & Wolfe, 2006; Hetzel-Riggin & Meads, 2011).

The paper presents the results of a pilot test of an interview protocol in two counties in Pennsylvania examining the lived experiences of youth aging out of foster care. Collaboration across counties included developing and enhancing connections with social service agencies, working with them to locate and recruit participants, and determining the best way to encourage participation. In consultation with service providers, the researchers used an iterative process to develop our research protocol related to recruitment of participants, scheduling and interviewing participants, coordination of data collection across the state, and collaboration with community agencies.

The final 2.5-hour interview protocol included assessment measures that address stigma about being in foster care, mental health outcomes, resiliency, trauma history, coping, and belonging. We created a standardized training protocol for those who administered the assessment battery. We collected data from 37 young adults (mean age = 20.0, SD = 1.74) with a history of foster care. Over half (59.5%) of the participants were women; racial/ethnic background was diverse.

Participants who reported higher levels of stigma about being in foster care reported a lower level of belongingness (r = -.63), lower self-efficacy (r = -.49), lower resiliency (r = -.48), less support-seeking coping (r = -.38), and less problem solving (r = -.40). Stigma was also positively associated with greater posttraumatic stress symptoms (r = .66).

The results suggest that youth aging out of foster care who feel stigmatized by their experiences may be at greater risk for isolation and have poorer coping strategies. They may also be at higher risk for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms related to their adverse experiences. It is also important to note that the quality and richness of the responses from the participants was due in large part to the community engaged research paradigm we employed, which allowed us to more easily enroll participants that are usually challenging to recruit to intensive research. Limitations to the analyses and lessons learned from the study will be discussed.