Background and Purpose:
Studies around the world report that young people aging out of residential facilities (care leavers) experience difficulties in multiple life domains. Previous studies also explored some of the background characteristics and social resources as contributors to the young people’s resilience in the years after leaving care. The presented study followed Israeli adolescents from their last year in residential facilities through their military service, up to about four year after leaving care. The study tests a comprehensive model that examines how personal resources (optimism, self-esteem, self-efficacy and future orientation) and support resources (parents and peer support) at multiple points in time are associated with functioning and well-being four years after leaving care.
Methods:
The sample included 276 adolescents who answered a questionnaire during their last year in care institutions (T1), 234 of them were interviewed one year later (T2) and 220 were interviewed again four years after leaving care (T3). The response rate was 79.7%. Structured and validated questionnaires examined social support from parents and friends as well as use of social services (T1-T3) and personal resources while in care (optimism, self-esteem, self-efficacy and future orientation; T1). In T2, instruments measured adaption to work/school/military service and well-being (including life satisfaction and mental distress). In T3, instruments assess accommodation, employment, income and economic situation, education, use of alcohol and drugs and well-being. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with autoregressive paths was conducted to examine the theoretical model (n= 208).
Results:
Results indicate that, although struggling with difficulties in multiple domains, Israeli care leavers were experiencing better life situations than described in much of the European and American literature. Only a few reported homelessness, a low percentage experienced unemployment and poverty and a high percentage obtained a full matriculation diploma.
The SEM model had reasonable fit to the data χ2(552, N= 208)=724.33, p= .00, TLI= .921, CFI= .934, SRMR= .068, RMSEA= .039 (90% CI=.030; .046). It indicated that personal and social resources were associated with current functioning and well-being in a complex pattern: Higher personal resources were associated with lower economic and lower mental distress and higher work stability. Support from parents was associated with lower economic and lower mental distress, but also with fewer activities toward higher education. Support from friends was a predictor of multiple variables including: lower economic and lower emotional distress, higher work stability and life satisfaction. In contrast to findings from other countries, adaption soon after leaving care had a minor contribution to the functioning and well-being four year after leaving care.
Conclusions and Implications:
The results suggest the importance of combining personal and social resources to improve young people's resilience when facing the challenges of transition to independent life. Hence, the recommendations to prepare the young people for the transition from care and to accompany them after they leave. In addition, the results indicated the significance and the contribution of the relationship with parents. These results highlighted the need for working with parents to improve the relationships while in care and in follow-up programs. Limitations include a response rate of 80%, and a limited sample size.
