Unveiling the experiences of young people in foster care: Perspectives from Portugal and Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 433-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Temitayo K Adeboye ◽  
Maria das Dores Guerreiro ◽  
Ingrid Höjer
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Successful Transition ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
After Care ◽  
Transition Into Adulthood

This article examines the lived experiences of young people in the process of leaving the care of SOS Children’s Villages in both Nigeria and Portugal. Interviews were conducted with 12 young people and data were analysed using content analysis. Young people’s lived experiences were captured in three emerging dimensions of past, present and future experiences. The study recommends resolving young people’s childhood conflicts towards a successful transition into adulthood. It also has implications for policy practice in tailoring the present experiences in preparing young people for the demands of life after care.

scholarly journals Vulnerable childhood, vulnerable adulthood: Direct provision as aftercare for aged-out separated children seeking asylum in Ireland

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 386-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muireann Ní Raghallaigh ◽  
Liam Thornton
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
The State ◽  
Migrant Status ◽  
After Care ◽  
Systematic Exploration ◽  
Care Leavers ◽  
Discretionary Powers

Ireland’s approach to after-care for ‘aged-out’ separated children is problematic. Currently, upon reaching the age of 18, most separated young people are moved to ‘direct provision’, despite the fact that the state can use discretionary powers to allow them to remain in foster care. Direct provision is the system Ireland adopts providing bed and board to asylum seekers, along with a weekly monetary payment. Separated young people in Ireland are in a vulnerable position after ageing out. Entry into the direct provision system, from a legal and social work perspective, is concerning. Utilising direct provision as a ‘form of aftercare’ emphasises governmental policy preferences that privilege the migrant status of aged-out separated children, as opposed to viewing this group as young people leaving care. In this article, utilising a cross-disciplinary approach, we provide the first systematic exploration of the system of aftercare for aged-out separated children in Ireland. In doing so, we posit two core reasons for why the aftercare system for aged-out separated children has developed as it has. First, doing so ensures that the state is consistent with its approach to asylum seekers more generally, in that it seeks to deter persons from claiming asylum in Ireland through utilisation of the direct provision system. Second, while the vulnerability of aged-out separated children is well-documented, the state (and others) ignore this vulnerability and are reluctant to offer additional aftercare supports beyond direct provision. This is due, we argue, to viewing aged-out separated children as having a lesser entitlement to rights than other care leavers, solely based on their migrant status.

scholarly journals TRANZICIJA IZ HRANITELJSTVA U SAMOSTALNOST – PRIKAZ ISTRAŽIVANJA

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71
Author(s):  
Ivan Anđelković ◽  
Bojana Pucarević
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Successful Transition ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Independent Life

The paper offers a critical review of recently published studies of the factors contributing to a successful transition to indepemdent life by the young in foster care. The review includes research conducted in various cultural contexts, such as the USA, Germany, Norway, Korea, Israel, as well as our own country. Our aim has been to describe the considerable achievents in this field, and point out the importance of those results which have been confirmed in more than a single research – specifically, the crucial role of social support in a successful passage to independent life. In addition to being established as culturally universal, this result has been obtained both in the studies concerned with successful transitions, and those focusing on the difficulties faced by the young people leaving foster care. The review also includes research which adresses the questions of what do the capability and readiness of adolescents to build and rely on social support depend on. In the paper the shortcomings and omissions of the studies examined are also considered and possible perspectives for further research into the complex problems related to leaving foster care are suggested, so that the results of such scientific invetigations might be of greater service in the planning and providing of actual interventions.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities Experienced by Young Adults Transitioning Out of Informal Kinship-Based Foster Care in Bikita District, Zimbabwe

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Dziro
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Transition Into Adulthood ◽  
Independent Life ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
And Training

The desire to understand young adults’ transition into adulthood from informal kinship-based foster care has been growing. This article examines the challenges encountered by, and the opportunities available to, young adults as they transition from informal kinship-based foster care to independent living in the Bikita District of Zimbabwe. In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 young people who had left care and key informants. Data were analyzed using a thematic framework. Key findings included the young adults’ need for proper preparation in formal education, health, social welfare, and employment to ward off the challenges they face before they leave informal kinship-based foster care. The opportunities available to the young adults included cultural identity, social capital, and training in independent life skills within their kinship group. Recommendations are made for better preparation and support to young people transitioning out of informal kinship-based care in Zimbabwe.

Lived Experiences of Young People who Live with Mental Healthcare Users in Limpopo, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamakota Maggie Molepo ◽  
Faniswa Honest Mfidi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Young People ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Burden Sharing

Mental illness is more than just the diagnosis to an individual – it also has an impact on the social functioning of the family at large. When a parent or relative has a mental illness, all other family members are affected, even the children. The purpose of the study was to provide insight into the lived experiences of young people who live with mental healthcare users and the way in which their daily coping can be maximised. A qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological research was undertaken to explore and describe the lived experiences of young people who live with mental healthcare users in the Limpopo province, South Africa. Audiotaped, unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 young people who grew up and lived with a family member who is a mental healthcare user in their homes, until data saturation was reached. A content analysis was used to derive themes from the collected qualitative data. Four major themes emerged as features reflective of the young people’s daily living with mental healthcare user, namely psychological effects, added responsibilities, effects on school performances, and support systems. This study recommends that support networks for young people be established through multidisciplinary team involvement and collaboration and the provision of burden-sharing or a relief system during times of need. With the availability of healthy coping mechanisms and support systems, the daily living situations and coping of young people could be maximised, thereby improving their quality of life while living with their family members with mental illness.

scholarly journals Ethical challenges of the healthcare transition to adult antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics for adolescents and young people with HIV in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scovia Nalugo Mbalinda ◽  
Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka ◽  
Derrick Lusota Amooti ◽  
Eleanor Namusoke Magongo ◽  
Philippa Musoke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Patient Autonomy ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Successful Transition ◽  
Healthcare Transition ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Retention In Hiv Care

Abstract Background Whereas many adolescents and young people with HIV require the transfer of care from paediatric/adolescent clinics to adult ART clinics, this transition is beset with a multitude of factors that have the potential to hinder or facilitate the process, thereby raising ethical challenges of the transition process. Decisions made regarding therapy, such as when and how to transition to adult HIV care, should consider ethical benefits and risks. Understanding and addressing ethical challenges in the healthcare transition could ensure a smooth and successful transition. The purpose of this study was to analyze the ethical challenges of transitioning HIV care for adolescents into adult HIV clinics. Methods Data presented were derived from 191 adolescents attending nine different health facilities in Uganda, who constituted 18 focus group discussions. In the discussions, facilitators and barriers regarding adolescents transitioning to adult HIV clinics were explored. Guided by the Silences Framework for data interpretation, thematic data analysis was used to analyze the data. The principles of bioethics and the four-boxes ethics framework for clinical care (patient autonomy, medical indications, the context of care, and quality of life) were used to analyze the ethical issues surrounding the transition from adolescent to adult HIV care. Results The key emerging ethical issues were: reduced patient autonomy; increased risk of harm from stigma and loss of privacy and confidentiality; unfriendly adult clinics induce disengagement and disruption of the care continuum; patient preference to transition as a cohort, and contextual factors are critical to a successful transition. Conclusion The priority outcomes of the healthcare transition for adolescents should address ethical challenges of the healthcare transition such as loss of autonomy, stigma, loss of privacy, and discontinuity of care to ensure retention in HIV care, facilitate long-term self-care, offer ongoing all-inclusive healthcare, promote adolescent health and wellbeing and foster trust in the healthcare system. Identifying and addressing the ethical issues related to what hinders or facilitates successful transitions with targeted interventions for the transition process may ensure adolescents and young people with HIV infection remain healthy across the healthcare transition.

A Scoping Review and Content Analysis of Common Depressive Symptoms of Young People

2021 ◽  
pp. 105984052110126
Author(s):  
Jia-Wen Guo ◽  
Brooks R. Keeshin ◽  
Mike Conway ◽  
Wendy W. Chapman ◽  
Katherine A. Sward
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Five Dimensions

School nurses are the most accessible health care providers for many young people including adolescents and young adults. Early identification of depression results in improved outcomes, but little information is available comprehensively describing depressive symptoms specific to this population. The aim of this study was to develop a taxonomy of depressive symptoms that were manifested and described by young people based on a scoping review and content analysis. Twenty-five journal articles that included narrative descriptions of depressive symptoms in young people were included. A total of 60 depressive symptoms were identified and categorized into five dimensions: behavioral ( n = 8), cognitive ( n = 14), emotional ( n = 15), interpersonal ( n = 13), and somatic ( n = 10). This comprehensive depression symptom taxonomy can help school nurses to identify young people who may experience depression and will support future research to better screen for depression.

scholarly journals Preserving and memorialising relationships: exploring young people’s experiences of foster care through the lens of social capital

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Gain Access

This article presents findings from research into how young people growing up in foster care in the UK manage the relationships in their social networks and gain access to social capital. It is a concept that highlights the value of relationships and is relevant to young people in care as they have usually experienced disruptions to their social and family life. Qualitative methods were used and the findings show that despite experiencing disruption to their social networks, the young people demonstrated that they were able to maintain access to their social capital. They achieved this in two ways. Firstly, they preserved their relationships, often through what can be seen as ordinary practices but in the extraordinary context of being in foster care. Secondly, they engaged in creative practices of memorialisation to preserve relationships that had ended or had been significantly impaired due to their experience of separation and movement. The article highlights implications for policy and practice, including the need to recognise the value of young people’s personal possessions. Furthermore, it stresses the need to support them to maintain their relationships across their networks as this facilitates their access to social capital.

scholarly journals On the bright side: Young people’s most positive memories of family foster care

2020 ◽  
pp. 135910452097869
Author(s):  
Anne Steenbakkers ◽  
Steffie van der Steen ◽  
Hans Grietens
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Normal Family ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Family Foster Care ◽  
Continuous Support ◽  
Positive Memories ◽  
Negative Memories

This study explored what contributes to successful family foster care from the perspective of young people by asking them about their most positive memory of family foster care. Forty-four Dutch adolescents and young adults (aged 16–28) participated in this study and shared their most positive memory in a short interview. Their answers were qualitatively analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, supplemented with an analysis of the structure of their memories. The thematic analysis resulted in the themes Belongingness, Receiving support, Normal family life, It is better than before, and Seeing yourself grow. The structural analysis showed that young people both shared memories related to specific events, as well as memories that portrayed how they felt for a prolonged period of time. In addition, young people were inclined to share negative memories alongside the positive memories. These results highlight that, in order to build a sense of belonging, it is important that of foster parents create a normal family environment for foster children and provide continuous support. Moreover, the negative memories shared by participants are discussed in light of a bias resulting from earlier traumatic experiences.

Using poetry to engage the voices of women and girls in research

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zanib Rasool
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Women And Girls

This chapter considers poetry as a creative or arts-based method within social research. It argues that poetry as a research methodology can elicit thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and can give a platform for marginalised voices, such as women and girls, as it enables those silenced voices to be heard — and heard loudly. Poetry offers one way to capture the knowledge held in communities, particularly among those whose voices have been traditionally marginalised, like young people and women. Poetry provides us with a different lens for making sense of everyday interactions, contradictions, and conflicts. Poetry allows us to express different perspectives of our lived experiences — a mosaic of autonomous voices freed through poetry.

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