The Relationship Between Sense of Belonging and Well-being Outcomes in Emerging Adults with Care Experience
HAVING A SENSE OF BELONGING during separation from parental care was associated with:
life satisfaction
KeyStudyFinding:
A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING makes a large, measurable difference for young adults transitioning to adulthood.
SENSE OF BELONGING =
The feeling of being accepted and connected to a group or community Having a sense of belonging provides a feeling of safety, happiness, and worth.
rates of adult homelessness
rates of suicidal ideation
How does a sense of belonging impact well being among emerging adults
Young adults with alternative care experience often lack the SOCIAL RESOURCES needed to develop a HEALTHY SENSE OF BELONGING.
NoBelongng 67% Belongng 33% NoBeongng 68% Belongng 32%
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Based on research by Amanda Hiles Howard, Megan Roberts, Tony Mitchell, and Nicole Gilbertson Wilke
LOWER
HIGHER
HIGHER
LOWER
resilience
The Relationship Between Sense of Belonging and Well-being Outcomes in Emerging Adults with Care Experience
EMERGING ADULTS 703 PARTICIPANTS
experienced separation from parental care in 16 nations.
FINDINGS
Participants who had experienced
INDIA, KENYA
PORTUGAL, MEXICO ZIMBABWE POLAND, USA
UGANDA, RWANDA DRC, ETHOPIA THAILAND, PERU CHINA, ROMANIA SOUTH AFRICA
RESIDENTIAL CARE, REINTEGRATION,
KINSHIP CARE OR weremorelikelytoreporthavingasenseofbelongingduringtheir separationcomparedtothoseinothertypesofcaresettings.
Simply asking them what makes them feel like they belong can be a helpful approach.
This practice should not only be used for children in care but also for adults who experienced separation from their parents as children, as they might have more difficulty with the idea of belonging.
SERVICE PROVIDERS SHOULD PRIORITIZE CREATING ENVIRONMENTS THAT:
&
PROMOTE BELONGING FACILITATE POSITIVE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS to ENHANCE the well-being of these individuals.
“Interventionsandpoliciesshouldfocusonfosteringasenseofbelonging topromotetheresilienceofindividualswithcareexperience.”
Based on research by Amanda Hiles Howard, Megan Roberts, Tony Mitchell, and Nicole Gilbertson Wilke
Thesefindingsindicatethat
A sense of belonging plays a crucial role in the lives of emerging adults with care experience.
