Pub Date : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108728
Zara Boulton , Mary Brushe , Damien W. Riggs , Ashleigh Lin , Cristyn Davies , Tess Gregory
This study aimed to examine the difference in levels of psychological wellbeing outcomes of binary and non-binary transgender and cisgender students aged 8–18 years in South Australia using population-level data. Student’s gender was imputed based on their self-reported gender (male, female, other) and parent-reported gender at school enrolment (male, female). Two groups represented cisgender students (n = 64,467), while four groups represented transgender and non-binary students (transgender boys, transgender girls, non-binary students presumed male at birth, non-binary students presumed female at birth; n = 1,016). A descriptive analysis was conducted to calculate the difference in levels of low, medium, and high psychological wellbeing across five outcomes: life satisfaction, optimism, happiness, sadness, and worries. Most transgender groups reported poorer outcomes than cisgender groups across most wellbeing indicators. Non-binary students, particularly those presumed female at birth, had the poorest psychological wellbeing outcomes. Like prior research, students with a gender other than male or female reported substantially poorer outcomes, indicating a need for holistic school and community services that assist transgender-specific social-emotional needs.
{"title":"Psychological wellbeing outcomes across genders in childhood and adolescence aged 8–18 years: a population-level perspective","authors":"Zara Boulton , Mary Brushe , Damien W. Riggs , Ashleigh Lin , Cristyn Davies , Tess Gregory","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108728","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108728","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to examine the difference in levels of psychological wellbeing outcomes of binary and non-binary transgender and cisgender students aged 8–18 years in South Australia using population-level data. Student’s gender was imputed based on their self-reported gender (male, female, other) and parent-reported gender at school enrolment (male, female). Two groups represented cisgender students (n = 64,467), while four groups represented transgender and non-binary students (transgender boys, transgender girls, non-binary students presumed male at birth, non-binary students presumed female at birth; n = 1,016). A descriptive analysis was conducted to calculate the difference in levels of low, medium, and high psychological wellbeing across five outcomes: life satisfaction, optimism, happiness, sadness, and worries. Most transgender groups reported poorer outcomes than cisgender groups across most wellbeing indicators. Non-binary students, particularly those presumed female at birth, had the poorest psychological wellbeing outcomes. Like prior research, students with a gender other than male or female reported substantially poorer outcomes, indicating a need for holistic school and community services that assist transgender-specific social-emotional needs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108728"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108727
Mason Shero, Hilary A. Doe, Cynthia Osborne, Jennifer Huffman
Background
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a rigorously evaluated home visiting program that serves first-time, low-income mothers. The current study compares perinatal outcomes of NFP participants to matched non-participants and estimates heterogeneous program effects by participant race and ethnicity.
Methods
A cohort of mothers enrolled in NFP between 2009 and 2019 was compared to a comparison group of similarly situated first-time mothers using Texas Department of State Health Services birth record data. We used 1-to-1 coarsened exact matching and matched 10,533 NFP mothers to non-participant mothers based on maternal race and ethnicity, age, education, and other salient characteristics for an overall sample of 21,066 mothers. We compared binomial measures of low birthweight, preterm birth, prenatal care adequacy, and breastfeeding initiation between participant and comparison mothers using logistic regression models. We also estimated the effects of the program separately by participant race and ethnicity for each outcome through subgroup analyses.
Results
NFP participants were significantly more likely to receive adequate prenatal care and attempt breastfeeding than the matched comparison sample. We found no significant differences in the odds of low birthweight or preterm birth between the groups. NFP had significantly stronger positive effects for Black and Hispanic mothers compared to White mothers for prenatal care adequacy. No significant heterogeneous program effects were observed for any other outcomes.
Discussion
The current study overcomes limitations of previous work by leveraging a large, diverse, single-state sample and employing analysis specifically designed to identify heterogeneous NFP effects by race and ethnicity. Findings could have implications for mitigating historical racial and ethnic disparities in perinatal health.
{"title":"The effects of home visiting on birth outcomes and perinatal health behaviors","authors":"Mason Shero, Hilary A. Doe, Cynthia Osborne, Jennifer Huffman","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108727","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108727","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a rigorously evaluated home visiting program that serves first-time, low-income mothers. The current study compares perinatal outcomes of NFP participants to matched non-participants and estimates heterogeneous program effects by participant race and ethnicity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cohort of mothers enrolled in NFP between 2009 and 2019 was compared to a comparison group of similarly situated first-time mothers using Texas Department of State Health Services birth record data. We used 1-to-1 coarsened exact matching and matched 10,533 NFP mothers to non-participant mothers based on maternal race and ethnicity, age, education, and other salient characteristics for an overall sample of 21,066 mothers. We compared binomial measures of low birthweight, preterm birth, prenatal care adequacy, and breastfeeding initiation between participant and comparison mothers using logistic regression models. We also estimated the effects of the program separately by participant race and ethnicity for each outcome through subgroup analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>NFP participants were significantly more likely to receive adequate prenatal care and attempt breastfeeding than the matched comparison sample. We found no significant differences in the odds of low birthweight or preterm birth between the groups. NFP had significantly stronger positive effects for Black and Hispanic mothers compared to White mothers for prenatal care adequacy. No significant heterogeneous program effects were observed for any other outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The current study overcomes limitations of previous work by leveraging a large, diverse, single-state sample and employing analysis specifically designed to identify heterogeneous NFP effects by race and ethnicity. Findings could have implications for mitigating historical racial and ethnic disparities in perinatal health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108727"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108726
Darejan Dvalishvili , Inga Saitadze , Yi Wang
Economic hardship, food insecurity, and limited access to essential resources such as childcare increase the risk of child maltreatment (CM) and the likelihood of foster care (FC) placement. Families facing these conditions often experience social isolation and a lack of support that could otherwise buffer the effects of poverty and child welfare involvement. This study examined the influence of income assistance, childcare access, and formal and informal social support on the risk of FC placement among families whose children remained at home following an initial CM investigation. Using longitudinal data from the second cohort of the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW-II), the sample included 1,963 children aged 0 to 6 residing with their biological or adoptive mothers. Results indicated that poverty and receipt of public assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children were associated with increased odds of FC placement. However, access to childcare, informal social support, and Child Protective Services −provided assistance with income and childcare services were linked to reduced risk. These findings highlight the importance of targeted economic and social supports in promoting family stability and reducing unnecessary FC placements among vulnerable, child welfare–involved families.
{"title":"The role of income assistance, childcare, and informal social support in foster care entry","authors":"Darejan Dvalishvili , Inga Saitadze , Yi Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108726","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108726","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Economic hardship, food insecurity, and limited access to essential resources such as childcare increase the risk of child maltreatment (CM) and the likelihood of foster care (FC) placement. Families facing these conditions often experience social isolation and a lack of support that could otherwise buffer the effects of poverty and child welfare involvement. This study examined the influence of income assistance, childcare access, and formal and informal social support on the risk of FC placement among families whose children remained at home following an initial CM investigation. Using longitudinal data from the second cohort of the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW-II), the sample included 1,963 children aged 0 to 6 residing with their biological or adoptive mothers. Results indicated that poverty and receipt of public assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children were associated with increased odds of FC placement. However, access to childcare, informal social support, and Child Protective Services −provided assistance with income and childcare services were linked to reduced risk. These findings highlight the importance of targeted economic and social supports in promoting family stability and reducing unnecessary FC placements among vulnerable, child welfare–involved families.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108726"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108724
Kristen D. Seay
Objectives
Among families reported to child protective services (CPS), parental problematic alcohol and drug use are common concerns associated with negative child outcomes, including trauma. This paper examines the role of four mediators (exposure to violence, parental monitoring, harsh discipline, emotional maltreatment) in the pathways from problematic alcohol and drug use to child trauma.
Methods
Using data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II (NSCAW II), path analysis models were conducted using a NSCAW II subset where children remained in the home following a CPS investigation. A random half-sample was drawn to conduct separate models for problematic alcohol use and drug use. Results were confirmed on the second sample half. Mplus 7.0 analyses accounted for stratification, clustering, and weighting.
Results
Parental monitoring and exposure to violence fully mediated the pathway from problematic alcohol use to child trauma at 18-month follow-up. However, fit and asymmetrical confidence intervals for the single mediator model through parental monitoring was stronger than for the model through exposure to violence. There were no significant pathways from problematic drug use to child trauma.
Conclusions
Results partially supported the hypothesized relationships. Higher levels of self-reported parental problematic alcohol use were associated with increased exposure to violence which was associated with increased child trauma. The pathway through parental monitoring did not support the hypothesis. As problematic alcohol use increased then parental monitoring increased resulting in less child trauma. Future research should explore the association between alcohol use and increased monitoring in child welfare samples.
{"title":"Pathways from parent substance misuse to child and adolescent trauma","authors":"Kristen D. Seay","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Among families reported to child protective services (CPS), parental problematic alcohol and drug use are common concerns associated with negative child outcomes, including trauma. This paper examines the role of four mediators (exposure to violence, parental monitoring, harsh discipline, emotional maltreatment) in the pathways from problematic alcohol and drug use to child trauma.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II (NSCAW II), path analysis models were conducted using a NSCAW II subset where children remained in the home following a CPS investigation. A random half-sample was drawn to conduct separate models for problematic alcohol use and drug use. Results were confirmed on the second sample half. Mplus 7.0 analyses accounted for stratification, clustering, and weighting.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Parental monitoring and exposure to violence fully mediated the pathway from problematic alcohol use to child trauma at 18-month follow-up. However, fit and asymmetrical confidence intervals for the single mediator model through parental monitoring was stronger than for the model through exposure to violence. There were no significant pathways from problematic drug use to child trauma.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Results partially supported the hypothesized relationships. Higher levels of self-reported parental problematic alcohol use were associated with increased exposure to violence which was associated with increased child trauma. The pathway through parental monitoring did not support the hypothesis. As problematic alcohol use increased then parental monitoring increased resulting in less child trauma. Future research should explore the association between alcohol use and increased monitoring in child welfare samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108724"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study uses focus group methodology to examine the mental health experiences of Black girls. Using intersectionality and Black girlhood theory as a framework, the study highlights how the intersection of race, gender, and age contributes to challenges that influence and shape their mental well-being.
Methods
Study participants were N = 62 Black girls between 13 and 18 (M = 15.6 SD = 1.50) years old. Semi-structured focus groups ranged from 90 to 120 min long and were administered by Black women facilitators.
Results
We identified three themes pertaining to the experiences that Black girls face around their mental health including: 1) perceptions of Black girls in society based on stereotypes; 2) mental health stigma; and 3) envisioning mental health programming for Black girls.
Conclusion
Findings from this study center the experiences of Black girls and deepen our understanding of factors that exacerbate mental health outcomes for this group such as gendered racism and mental health stigma. Implications are discussed for culturally relevant prevention and treatment mental health services that incorporate psychoeducation and anti-mental health stigma for Black girls.
{"title":"“Hear our voices”: A qualitative exploration of mental health among Black girls","authors":"Ijeoma Opara , Jasmin Brooks-Stephens , Emmanuella Asabor , Moiyattu Banya , Isha Metzger","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108721","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108721","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study uses focus group methodology to examine the mental health experiences of Black girls. Using intersectionality and Black girlhood theory as a framework, the study highlights how the intersection of race, gender, and age contributes to challenges that influence and shape their mental well-being.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Study participants were <em>N</em> = 62 Black girls between 13 and 18 (<em>M</em> = 15.6 <em>SD</em> = 1.50) years old. Semi-structured focus groups ranged from 90 to 120 min long and were administered by Black women facilitators.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We identified three themes pertaining to the experiences that Black girls face around their mental health including: 1) perceptions of Black girls in society based on stereotypes; 2) mental health stigma; and 3) envisioning mental health programming for Black girls.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Findings from this study center the experiences of Black girls and deepen our understanding of factors that exacerbate mental health outcomes for this group such as gendered racism and mental health stigma. Implications are discussed for culturally relevant prevention and treatment mental health services that incorporate psychoeducation and anti-mental health stigma for Black girls.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108721"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-14DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108723
Kiska M. Smith , Courtney C. Junkins , Abby R. Rosenberg , Joyce P. Yi-Frazier
Feasible, evidenced-based programs are needed to build resilience and reduce stress for elementary-aged students. The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) program is an empirically-based resilience-building program originally designed for adolescents and young adults. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and exploratory efficacy of PRISM for elementary-aged students (PRISM-Kids). PRISM-Kids is a manualized, skills-based intervention program that teaches stress management, goal setting, reframing, and meaning-making. PRISM-Kids was delivered in five 30-60 min sessions, approximately 1 week apart. Eligible students were in grades 3–5 and English-speaking. Students were recruited from a Washington State elementary school using purposive sampling. Parents of enrolled students were also offered participation in a follow-up interview. The study assessed feasibility, defined a priori as an 80 % completion rate. Acceptability was assessed via participant interviews using thematic analysis. Exploratory efficacy was assessed by pre- and post-resilience scores as measured with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). Twenty-one students and parents were enrolled (students: 72 % male, 71 % non-Hispanic white, 14 % Asian, and 15 % other; parents: 100 % mothers). Twenty completed all 5 sessions. Feedback indicated high satisfaction with content and delivery; 100 % recommended this program. Exploratory efficacy results showed a significant increase in resilience scores, from a baseline mean CD-RISC-10 score of 22.3 (SD = 6.0) to a post-program score of 28.1 (SD = 5.7), p = 0.004. PRISM-Kids is a promising, feasible, and acceptable intervention for building resilience in elementary-aged children. Future research should examine the efficacy of PRISM-Kids in larger, diverse populations to further validate its effectiveness as a resilience-building tool in schools.
需要可行的、以证据为基础的方案来培养小学适龄学生的适应力，减轻他们的压力。促进压力管理中的弹性（PRISM）计划是一个基于经验的弹性建设计划，最初是为青少年和年轻人设计的。本初步研究旨在评估PRISM在小学生中的可行性、可接受性和探索性效果。PRISM-Kids是一个手动的、基于技能的干预项目，教授压力管理、目标设定、重构和意义创造。PRISM-Kids分5次30-60分钟，间隔约1周。符合条件的学生为3-5年级的英语学生。采用有目的抽样方法从华盛顿州一所小学招募学生。入学学生的家长也被邀请参加后续访谈。该研究评估了可行性，先验地定义为80%的完成率。可接受性是通过专题分析的参与者访谈来评估的。探索性疗效通过康纳-戴维森弹性量表（CD-RISC-10）测量的恢复前和恢复后得分来评估。21名学生和家长被纳入研究（学生：72%为男性，71%为非西班牙裔白人，14%为亚洲人，15%为其他种族；家长：100%为母亲）。20人完成了所有5个阶段。反馈表明对内容和交付非常满意；百分百推荐这个项目。探索性疗效结果显示弹性评分显著增加，从基线CD-RISC-10平均评分22.3 （SD = 6.0）到计划后评分28.1 (SD = 5.7), p = 0.004。PRISM-Kids是一个有希望的、可行的、可接受的干预措施，用于建立小学年龄儿童的适应能力。未来的研究应该在更大、更多样化的人群中检验PRISM-Kids的有效性，以进一步验证其作为学校弹性建设工具的有效性。
{"title":"The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) program for elementary school Students: A pilot study","authors":"Kiska M. Smith , Courtney C. Junkins , Abby R. Rosenberg , Joyce P. Yi-Frazier","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Feasible, evidenced-based programs are needed to build resilience and reduce stress for elementary-aged students. The Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) program is an empirically-based resilience-building program originally designed for adolescents and young adults. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and exploratory efficacy of PRISM for elementary-aged students (PRISM-Kids). PRISM-Kids is a manualized, skills-based intervention program that teaches stress management, goal setting, reframing, and meaning-making. PRISM-Kids was delivered in five 30-60 min sessions, approximately 1 week apart. Eligible students were in grades 3–5 and English-speaking. Students were recruited from a Washington State elementary school using purposive sampling. Parents of enrolled students were also offered participation in a follow-up interview. The study assessed feasibility, defined <em>a priori</em> as an 80 % completion rate. Acceptability was assessed via participant interviews using thematic analysis. Exploratory efficacy was assessed by pre- and post-resilience scores as measured with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). Twenty-one students and parents were enrolled (students: 72 % male, 71 % non-Hispanic white, 14 % Asian, and 15 % other; parents: 100 % mothers). Twenty completed all 5 sessions. Feedback indicated high satisfaction with content and delivery; 100 % recommended this program. Exploratory efficacy results showed a significant increase in resilience scores, from a baseline mean CD-RISC-10 score of 22.3 (SD = 6.0) to a post-program score of 28.1 (SD = 5.7), p = 0.004. PRISM-Kids is a promising, feasible, and acceptable intervention for building resilience in elementary-aged children. Future research should examine the efficacy of PRISM-Kids in larger, diverse populations to further validate its effectiveness as a resilience-building tool in schools.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108723"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-13DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108719
Sarah Elizabeth Neville , K. Megan Collier , Elizabeth K. Klein , Joanna Wakia , John Hembling , Beth Bradford , Martin Kiandiko , Alividzah Kituku , Maureen Obuya , Nelson Nyabola , Jane Dzame Karisa , Ronald Kwicha Baya , Indrani Saran , Margaret Lombe , Thomas M. Crea
In Kenya, estimates suggest almost 60,000 children live in residential care institutions, also called orphanages and Charitable Children’s Institutions (CCIs). The Government of Kenya has undertaken reform efforts and aims to reunify children in residential care with families where possible. This study aimed to explore how young people in Kenya who have lived in residential care describe and conceptualize their experiences of life in residential care and life after leaving residential care. The study used qualitative data from focus group discussions with children ages 11 to 17 who had been reunified with family after living in residential care (n = 41) and with young adults who exited residential care during young adulthood (n = 29). The themes that emerged from the analysis fell under five themes: material resources, information and guidance, belonging, emotional support, and freedom. Young people tended to have better access to material resources in residential care than afterwards, but had both positive and negative experiences with emotional support and guidance in both settings. After leaving residential care, young people valued being able to be close to their families and having more personal agency and freedom, though some believed that increased freedom came at the cost of reduced safety. These results indicate the importance of family strengthening and individualized case management for children reunifying with families after leaving residential care.
{"title":"Young people’s experiences of support, belonging, and freedom before and after leaving residential care institutions in Kenya","authors":"Sarah Elizabeth Neville , K. Megan Collier , Elizabeth K. Klein , Joanna Wakia , John Hembling , Beth Bradford , Martin Kiandiko , Alividzah Kituku , Maureen Obuya , Nelson Nyabola , Jane Dzame Karisa , Ronald Kwicha Baya , Indrani Saran , Margaret Lombe , Thomas M. Crea","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108719","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108719","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Kenya, estimates suggest almost 60,000 children live in residential care institutions, also called orphanages and Charitable Children’s Institutions (CCIs). The Government of Kenya has undertaken reform efforts and aims to reunify children in residential care with families where possible. This study aimed to explore how young people in Kenya who have lived in residential care describe and conceptualize their experiences of life in residential care and life after leaving residential care. The study used qualitative data from focus group discussions with children ages 11 to 17 who had been reunified with family after living in residential care (n = 41) and with young adults who exited residential care during young adulthood (n = 29). The themes that emerged from the analysis fell under five themes: material resources, information and guidance, belonging, emotional support, and freedom. Young people tended to have better access to material resources in residential care than afterwards, but had both positive and negative experiences with emotional support and guidance in both settings. After leaving residential care, young people valued being able to be close to their families and having more personal agency and freedom, though some believed that increased freedom came at the cost of reduced safety. These results indicate the importance of family strengthening and individualized case management for children reunifying with families after leaving residential care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108719"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-13DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108722
Ashley N. Anderson, John T. Rapp, Ellie Morosohk
Most adolescent residential facilities aim to provide a supportive and therapeutic environment; however, researchers and clinicians across disciplines acknowledge that these efforts can sometimes fall short. In the following experiments, we leveraged a translational approach to investigate the nuances of discrete staff-to-resident interactions we detected through direct observations in one residential facility. Understanding how staff respond to residents’ behaviors may offer valuable insights for enhancing staff support and improving interventions. Experiment 1 tested how simulated pre-shift events affected participants responses to resident behavior. Emotion induction did not alter responding, but exposure to problem behavior impacted later responses. Experiment 2 replicated the first study without emotion induction. As with Experiment 1, results indicated prior exposure to problem behavior impacted subsequent responding. Lastly, Experiment 3 introduced two residents to the same simulation. Experiment 3 suggested that responding to one resident’s problem behavior did not increase fines for the second resident’s problem behavior but it increased rewards for the second resident’s appropriate behavior. We discuss implications and next steps in this process.
{"title":"From frontline observations to experimental analysis: a reverse translational investigation of staff behavior in residential care settings","authors":"Ashley N. Anderson, John T. Rapp, Ellie Morosohk","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108722","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108722","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Most adolescent residential facilities aim to provide a supportive and therapeutic environment; however, researchers and clinicians across disciplines acknowledge that these efforts can sometimes fall short. In the following experiments, we leveraged a translational approach to investigate the nuances of discrete staff-to-resident interactions we detected through direct observations in one residential facility. Understanding how staff respond to residents’ behaviors may offer valuable insights for enhancing staff support and improving interventions. Experiment 1 tested how simulated pre-shift events affected participants responses to resident behavior. Emotion induction did not alter responding, but exposure to problem behavior impacted later responses. Experiment 2 replicated the first study without emotion induction. As with Experiment 1, results indicated prior exposure to problem behavior impacted subsequent responding. Lastly, Experiment 3 introduced two residents to the same simulation. Experiment 3 suggested that responding to one resident’s problem behavior did not increase fines for the second resident’s problem behavior but it increased rewards for the second resident’s appropriate behavior. We discuss implications and next steps in this process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108722"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108720
Rineke Bossenbroek , Jan-Ole H. Gmélin , Merlijn Olthof , Jana Knot-Dickscheit , Fred Hasselman , Evelien Poelen , Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff
Care for youngsters in residential settings is often disorder focused rather than based on a holistic understanding of their unique developmental histories. In this study, we used a lifeline drawing method, inspired by complex systems theory, to map the life histories and broader developmental contexts of young people with residential living experience. Lifelines of wellbeing were analyzed for distinct dynamic patterns to arrive at a process explanation of how person-environment interactions shape the onset and maintenance of psychological suffering and recovery. Lifeline interviews were conducted with seven adolescents with residential living experience. Each lifeline was segmented and coded for the functioning of the person and their environment. We then sought for dynamic patterns that were repeated within and across cases. The overall line shape showed that youth experienced the majority of their lives as hardship and that their psychological problems worsened over time. While idiosyncratic in content, we found general dynamics (patterns of stability, fluctuations, and diverse change patterns) that could be linked to distinct developmental mechanisms. Fluctuating patterns pointed towards periods of instability (or crisis), during which youth appeared more sensitive to external stressors, and which typically marked the start of recovery. Whereas the worsening of youths’ problems typically occurred fast, recovery was a much slower process which required an autonomy-supported living environment, psychological interventions, and/or changes in youths’ school or living environment. We call for an interaction-based approach to diagnosis and care, in which psychological suffering is understood in the light of a person’s history and developmental context.
{"title":"Lifelines of young people with a history in residential care: A qualitative investigation from a complex systems perspective","authors":"Rineke Bossenbroek , Jan-Ole H. Gmélin , Merlijn Olthof , Jana Knot-Dickscheit , Fred Hasselman , Evelien Poelen , Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108720","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108720","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Care for youngsters in residential settings is often disorder focused rather than based on a holistic understanding of their unique developmental histories. In this study, we used a lifeline drawing method, inspired by complex systems theory, to map the life histories and broader developmental contexts of young people with residential living experience. Lifelines of wellbeing were analyzed for distinct dynamic patterns to arrive at a process explanation of how person-environment interactions shape the onset and maintenance of psychological suffering and recovery. Lifeline interviews were conducted with seven adolescents with residential living experience. Each lifeline was segmented and coded for the functioning of the person and their environment. We then sought for dynamic patterns that were repeated within and across cases. The overall line shape showed that youth experienced the majority of their lives as hardship and that their psychological problems worsened over time. While idiosyncratic in content, we found general dynamics (patterns of stability, fluctuations, and diverse change patterns) that could be linked to distinct developmental mechanisms. Fluctuating patterns pointed towards periods of instability (or crisis), during which youth appeared more sensitive to external stressors, and which typically marked the start of recovery. Whereas the worsening of youths’ problems typically occurred fast, recovery was a much slower process which required an autonomy-supported living environment, psychological interventions, and/or changes in youths’ school or living environment. We call for an interaction-based approach to diagnosis and care, in which psychological suffering is understood in the light of a person’s history and developmental context.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108720"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-10DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108692
Christine Clark, Emily P. Taylor
Foster and kinship carers often care for traumatised children, and thus may be at risk of compassion fatigue (comprising burnout and secondary traumatic stress). This study aims to add to the emerging literature around whether compassion fatigue is present in foster and kinship carers and explore potential factors that may be associated with it. An online cross-sectional survey of 180 foster and kinship carers from the United Kingdom included measures of compassion fatigue, attachment, reflective functioning, self-efficacy, and social support. Results suggest higher levels of compassion fatigue amongst foster and kinship carers compared to helping professionals, and equivalent levels of compassion satisfaction, confirming previous findings. Regression analysis showed higher compassion fatigue was associated with lower levels of parenting satisfaction, higher attachment avoidance and higher discrepancies between perceived and enacted emotional support. Post hoc analysis showed a significant difference between source of social support for alternative caregivers with formal supports less likely to meet expectations. Descriptive statistics also highlighted low levels of reflective functioning training and low levels of household income of kinship carers within the sample. The findings are discussed in light of the timing of data collection and sampling strategy during COVID-19 restrictions. Associations between social support and attachment avoidance in relation to accessing entitled supports has implications for clinical and social services.
{"title":"‘Caring for the carers’: Compassion fatigue and associated factors in foster and kinship carers","authors":"Christine Clark, Emily P. Taylor","doi":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Foster and kinship carers often care for traumatised children, and thus may be at risk of compassion fatigue (comprising burnout and secondary traumatic stress). This study aims to add to the emerging literature around whether compassion fatigue is present in foster and kinship carers and explore potential factors that may be associated with it. An online cross-sectional survey of 180 foster and kinship carers from the United Kingdom included measures of compassion fatigue, attachment, reflective functioning, self-efficacy, and social support. Results suggest higher levels of compassion fatigue amongst foster and kinship carers compared to helping professionals, and equivalent levels of compassion satisfaction, confirming previous findings. Regression analysis showed higher compassion fatigue was associated with lower levels of parenting satisfaction, higher attachment avoidance and higher discrepancies between perceived and enacted emotional support. Post hoc analysis showed a significant difference between source of social support for alternative caregivers with formal supports less likely to meet expectations. Descriptive statistics also highlighted low levels of reflective functioning training and low levels of household income of kinship carers within the sample. The findings are discussed in light of the timing of data collection and sampling strategy during COVID-19 restrictions. Associations between social support and attachment avoidance in relation to accessing entitled supports has implications for clinical and social services.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48428,"journal":{"name":"Children and Youth Services Review","volume":"181 ","pages":"Article 108692"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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