Patterns of mental health, substance abuse, and justice system involvement among youth aging out of child welfare
Abstract
Although research on youth aging out of the child welfare system has increased, there has been limited focus on how their experiences vary. In particular, there is a need to examine patterns in the involvement of these youth in other systems, which indicate constellations of challenges facing these young people as they transition out of care and into adulthood. Using administrative data from a large birth cohort of individuals born between 1985 and 1994 whose families have been involved in the child welfare system, this article presents an analysis of the mental health, substance abuse, juvenile justice, and criminal justice system involvement of youth who have aged out of child welfare. Using a 2-step cluster analysis, we identify 5 subgroups of youth. Two of these groups, accounting for almost half of the youth, have little other system involvement and have child welfare care careers of relative stability. The other 3 groups, consisting of just over half of the youth, have much more extensive other system involvement, as well as care careers marked by instability and a greater proportion of time spent in congregate care.
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The absence of these critical protective factors can mean that these youth face increased risk of homelessness, poverty, substance abuse, and other poor outcomes.
“The absence of these critical protective factors can also mean that these youth face increased risk of homelessness, poverty, substance abuse, and other poor outcomes (Shook et al., 2011; Braciszewski & Stout, 2012; Dworsky & Courtney, 2010; Pecora et al., 2006; Winter et al., 2016).”
From Intervention development to improve foster youth mental health by targeting coping self-efficacy and help-seeking (2023) · cites this paper as Shook et al., 2011
All of these factors further impact the development of psychosocial resilience and supportive peer and adult networks.
“All of these factors further impact the development of psychosocial resilience and supportive peer and adult networks (Perry, 2006; Goodkind et al, 2011; Shook et al., 2011; Samuels & Pryce, 2008).”
From Intervention development to improve foster youth mental health by targeting coping self-efficacy and help-seeking (2023) · cites this paper as Shook et al., 2011
Cites
Use of Mental Health Services Among Older Youths in Foster Care
McMillen, J. C., Scott, L. D., Zima, B. T., Ollie, M. T., Munson, M. R., & Spitznagel, E. (2004) · Psychiatric Services · doi:10.1176/appi.ps.55.7.811 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Keller, T. E., Cusick, G. R., & Courtney, M. E. (2007) · Social Service Review · doi:10.1086/519536 · Cited by 253 · see citing works
Goodkind, S., Schelbe, L. A., & Shook, J. J. (2011) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.01.010 · Cited by 175 · see citing works
Self-citationOlder youth leaving the foster care system: Who, what, when, where, and why?
McCoy, H., McMillen, J. C., & Spitznagel, E. L. (2008) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2007.12.003 · Cited by 105 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Caucasian youth have been found to leave care earlier than youth of color (McCoy et al., 2008).”
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Havlicek, J. R., Garcia, A. R., & Smith, D. C. (2013) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.10.003 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
Voices of former foster youth: Supportive relationships in the transition to adulthood
Singer, E. R., Berzin, S. C., & Hokanson, K. (2013) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.10.019 · Cited by 139 · see citing works
Shook, J. J., Goodkind, S., Herring, D., Pohlig, R. T., Kolivoski, K., & Kim, K. H. (2013) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.09.017 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Self-citationBlakeslee, J. E., Kothari, B. H., & Miller, R. A. (2023) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106753 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“All of these factors further impact the development of psychosocial resilience and supportive peer and adult networks (Perry, 2006; Goodkind et al, 2011; Shook et al., 2011; Samuels & Pryce, 2008).”
Background
- Authors
- Shook, J., Goodkind, S., Pohlig, R. T., Schelbe, L., Herring, D., & Kim, K. H.
- Affiliations
- University of Pittsburgh (US)
- Venue
- American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
- Published
- 2011
- Volume
- 81
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 420-432
- ISSN
- 0002-9432 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-0025
- OpenAlex
- W2133245707
- Cited by
- 61
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 10.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Homelessness and Social Issues
- Social Sciences › Law › Legal and Social Justice Studies
- Keywords
- child welfare, mental health, substance abuse, juvenile justice system involvement, criminal justice involvement, coming of age, congregate care, birth cohort
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Black or African American, Child, Child Welfare, Criminal Law, Female, Humans, Juvenile Delinquency, Male, Mental Health, Cluster Analysis, Substance-Related Disorders, White People, Young Adult
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