‘In the end you’re no longer the kid from the children’s home, you‘re just yourself’: Resilience in care leavers over 25

ABSTRACT

Despite the growing number of studies on the factors that facilitate or hinder care leavers’ transition to adulthood, most research has been focused on assessing this transition when participants themselves are still going through it. The aim of the paper is to explore how interaction between the care system and youth can promote resilience from a long-term perspective. This is done by exploring the views of care-experienced youth from Catalonia (Spain). The method used in this study was a content analysis of 13 in-depth interviews based on a screening questionnaire (N = 68). The youths who participated in the study are aged 25–36, which makes it possible for them to evaluate their life trajectories with greater maturity and temporal distance. The main factors promoting resilience among young people formerly in out-of-home care are attributed, on the one hand, to the personal sphere, the ability to deal with adverse situations and a perception of control and autonomy; and on the other, to relational and environmental factors; their education and the social support received. One important addition is that the passing of time has helped them blend into the landscape without the label of ‘young people leaving care’. Implications for practice are presented.

RESUMEN

Aunque el número de investigaciones sobre los factores facilitadores y dificultadores de la transición a la vida adulta de los jóvenes egresados, la mayoría de estas se centran en valorar este proceso cuando los mismos participantes aún lo están viviendo. El objetivo del estudio es explorar cómo la interacción entre el sistema de protección y los jóvenes puede promover resiliencia a largo plazo. Eso se consigue explorando las perspectivas de jóvenes egresados de Cataluña (España). El método utilizado en el estudio es el análisis de contenido de 13 entrevistas en profundidad basadas en un screening questionnaire (N = 68). Los jóvenes participantes tenien entre 25 y 36 años, lo que hizo posible evaluar sus trayectorias de vida des de una distancia temporal y con mayor madurez. Los principales factores que han promovido la resiliencia son atribuidos, por un lado, al ámbito personal mostrando la capacidad de afrontar las situaciones adversas, tener percepción de control y autonomía; y por otro lado, a factores relacionales y del contexto; la educación y el apoyo social recibido. Con el añadido importante del paso del tiempo, que les ayuda a difuminarse finalmente entre el paisaje sin la etiqueta de ‘jóvenes egresados’. Se perfilan implicaciones concretas para la práctica, la política y la investigación.

KEYWORDS:

• Young people with a care background
• 25–35 years old
• transition to adulthood
• resilience
• out-of-home care

PALABRAS CLAVE:

• Jóvenes egresados
• 25–35 años
• transición a la vida adulta
• resiliencia
• acogimiento

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval statement

This research was approved by the Ethics and Bio-Safety Research Committee of the University of Girona (approval code: CEBRU0004-2019). An agreement was also signed with the child protection authorities (DGAIA), specifying the processing of data by the Research Team relating to: access to information, data processing at the Team’s headquarters, security measures, and confidentiality. For these purposes, the researchers were required to keep all information strictly confidential and comply with all established technical and organisational measures to ensure information confidentiality and integrity. These obligations continued to apply even after the termination and expiration of the agreement. This information was given to all the participants.

Availability of data statement

Data not available due to legal restrictions.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received financial support for the research from the Fundación Santa María.

Notes on contributors

Gemma Crous

Gemma Crous is a Doctor in Psychology. Her background is in Psychology (BA) and in Youth and Society (MA). While still an undergraduate, in 2013 she joined a research team from the University of Girona (Spain). In 2015 she received funding from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Spanish Government and the European Social Fund to do her PhD. Her PhD thesis received the international mention, an Excellent Cum Laude qualification and the Extraordinary Prize of the University of Girona for her promotion. After finishing her PhD, Crous focused her work on research related to the children in care and the care leavers. At the moment, she is working at the University of Barcelona, as a postdoctoral researcher, after receiving funding from the Spanish Government for this position.

Carme Montserrat

Carme Montserrat, PhD, is full-professor and deputy dean in the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the University of Girona (Spain) and director of Liberi, Research Team on Childhood, Youth and Community. She had previously worked in the welfare system in the city of Barcelona as well as being consultant with the Council of Europe. Her main areas of research are related to children and young people in care, education and well-being. She is a member of the International Association for Outcome-Based Evaluation and Research on Child and Family Services.

Judit Gallart-Mir

Judit Gallart-Mir is graduated in Psychology at the University of Girona. Since 2019, she has been collaborating as a researcher at the Liberi Research Team on Childhood, Youth and Community. Her contract as an assistant researcher is funded by the Catalan Government.

Marta Matás

Marta Matás is graduated in Criminology at the University of Murcia and currently a student of the Social Work Master degree from the University of Barcelona. She is a young researcher interested in social topics such as women and care leavers.