Pathways to Preventing Substance Use Among Youth in Foster Care

Child maltreatment is associated with negative outcomes such as substance use (SU). This study tested relations among maltreatment history, coping behavior, and SU behavior in youth residing in foster care. Participants were 210 youth ( Mage = 12.71 years; SD = 2.95) in foster care who completed self-report measures through an audio computer-assisted self-interview program. Using a structural equation modeling framework and latent measurement constructs, positive associations were identified between maltreatment at baseline and coping behavior outcomes as well as SU behavior outcome approximately 4.5 months later. Specifically, greater severity and chronicity of maltreatment was associated with greater SU behavior as well as indirect action, prosocial, and asocial coping behavior. Maltreatment was not significantly related to direct action coping behavior. In moderation tests, only asocial coping provided a significant interaction effect for SU behavior outcomes; SU behavior did not moderate pathways between maltreatment and coping behavior. For youth in foster care, the coping approach may be varied and relate differentially to SU behavior outcomes, with asocial approaches to coping acting as a buffer for the maltreatment/SU relation. Additionally, SU remains an important target for intervention and prevention in youth residing in foster care.

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Substance use and abuse among older youth in foster care

Addictive Behaviors ◽

10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.12.012 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 32 (9) ◽

pp. 1929-1935 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

Michael G. Vaughn ◽

Marcia T. Ollie ◽

J. Curtis McMillen ◽

Lionel Scott ◽

Michelle Munson

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Foster Care ◽

Substance Use And Abuse ◽

Older Youth ◽

Youth In Foster Care

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LGBTQ Youth in Unstable Housing and Foster Care

10.1542/9781610025409-lgbtq ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 22-30

Author(s):

Laura Baams ◽

Bianca D.M. Wilson ◽

Stephen T. Russell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Foster Care ◽

School Functioning ◽

Odds Ratios ◽

Lgbtq Youth ◽

Unstable Housing ◽

Stable Housing ◽

Heterosexual Youth ◽

Youth In Foster Care

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth are suggested to be overrepresented in unstable housing and foster care. In the current study, we assess whether LGBTQ youth are overrepresented in unstable housing and foster care and examine disparities in school functioning, substance use, and mental health for LGBTQ youth versus heterosexual youth in unstable housing and foster care. METHODS A total of 895 218 students (10–18 years old) completed the cross-sectional California Healthy Kids Survey from 2013 to 2015. Surveys were administered in 2641 middle and high schools throughout California. Primary outcome measures included school functioning (eg, school climate, absenteeism), substance use, and mental health. RESULTS More youth living foster care (30.4%) and unstable housing (25.3%) self-identified as LGBTQ than youth in a nationally representative sample (11.2%). Compared with heterosexual youth and youth in stable housing, LGBTQ youth in unstable housing reported poorer school functioning (Bs = 20.10 to 0.40), higher substance use (Bs = 0.26–0.28), and poorer mental health (odds ratios = 0.73–0.80). LGBTQ youth in foster care reported more fights in school (B = 0.16), victimization (B = 0.10), and mental health problems (odds ratios = 0.82–0.73) compared with LGBTQ youth in stable housing and heterosexual youth in foster care. CONCLUSIONS Disparities for LGBTQ youth are exacerbated when they live in foster care or unstable housing. This points to a need for protections for LGBTQ youth in care and care that is affirming of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

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