Systemic Components Of Care That Affect Self-sufficiency For Youth Transitioning Out Of Foster Care

Abstract

Although research indicates that former foster youth fare poorly in a number of domains of self-sufficiency upon leaving care, it is unclear whether their poor outcomes are related to systemic components of care. The purpose of this study was to examine the systemic components of foster care that either promote or inhibit self-sufficiency in foster youth once they transition from care through the lens of Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory. Using data gathered from both Child Protective Services and Transitional Resource Action Center's databases, the study described in this dissertation explored factors of care that most influence former foster youth's self-sufficiency. Results indicated that none of the factors of care fully explained youth's self-sufficiency. Findings are discussed in relation to both ecological and developmental theory.