Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Davis, Thomas

Abstract

Many children enter the child welfare foster system every year and spend a significant amount of time in this system. While in foster care, many children experience stress and trauma. Trauma and adversity have been found to have a significant negative impact on children’s future success and well-being. Resiliency becomes important when combatting trauma experiences. This study looked at how child welfare social workers play a role in promoting resilience for children in foster care. The purpose of this study was to explore and highlight positively impactful resilience building child welfare social work practices from the perspective of former foster youth and social workers who have experience working with foster children. In this study, we virtually interviewed three now adult former foster youth who were current students at a public university in Southern California and five social workers who had experience working with foster children. The participant’s responses were analyzed, and several themes were identified to present child welfare social work practices that were impactful in promoting resilience. Resilience theory and the Predictive Six-Factor Resilience Scale (PR6) were used to guide the study and define resilience. The findings from this study provide guidance to current and future child welfare social workers who want to learn how to further advocate for foster children. The study also contributed to research focused on improving outcomes for children after foster care.

Download

  Contact Author

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

COinS