Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Rogers, Anissa

Abstract

Long-term exposure to congregate care settings can place foster children at greater risk for negative life outcomes in adulthood such as homelessness, incarceration, and substance use. The significance of this quantitative study is found in the benefits to both the micro and macro fields of social work as well as the practical applications to child welfare practices regarding placing children in congregate care settings. These findings are essential for guiding and improving the already existing child welfare policies and practices regarding the length of stay in congregate care settings as well as providing supportive services to children who are already placed or at risk of being placed in this type of residential setting. This quantitative study uses a descriptive-correlational approach to explore relationship between long-term exposure to congregate care and negative psychosocial outcomes for foster youth such as homelessness, incarceration, and substance use disorders. The hypothesis guiding this study is that long-term exposure to congregate care places foster children at greater risk for certain adverse life outcomes. Secondary data was obtained from national databases which includes the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) as well as the Mental Health Service Use of Youth Leaving Foster Care (Voyages), 2001-2003.

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