Adverse childhood experiences among youth aging out of foster care: A latent class analysis. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rebbe, Rebecca; Nurius, Paula S.; Ahrens, Kym R.; Courtney, Mark E.
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 74(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) -- Foster care -- Aging out -- Emancipation -- Young adulthood -- Latent class analysis -- Socio-economic outcomes -- Psychosocial problems; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.02.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Abstract: Research has demonstrated that youth who age out, or emancipate, from foster care face deleterious outcomes across a variety of domains in early adulthood. This article builds on this knowledge base by investigating the role of adverse childhood experience accumulation and composition on these outcomes. A latent class analysis was performed to identify three subgroups: Complex Adversity, Environmental Adversity, and Lower Adversity. Differences are found among the classes in terms of young adult outcomes in terms of socio-economic outcomes, psychosocial problems, and criminal behaviors. The results indicate that not only does the accumulation of adversity matter, but so does the composition of the adversity. These results have implications for policymakers, the numerous service providers and systems that interact with foster youth, and for future research. Highlights: Latent class analysis was used to test for adverse childhood experiences differences among youth who aged out of foster care. Three latent classes were identified based on accumulation and composition of adversities. Prevalence of young adult outcomes (socio-economic outcomes, psychosocial problems, and criminal behaviors) varied by class. Implications include need for screening for broad adversities for this population.