Limitations

empowering, which also reinforces the emerging theme of interdependence among the three study domains explored within this project (e.g., relationships are a mechanism for self-determination and self-advocacy to occur). Attributes of relational permanence or connectedness have also been reflected in prior literature. Youth in foster care value qualities such as stability of relationships, multidimensional support, opportunities to advocate, honesty and genuineness, commonalities with others, trust, and having access to small core groups of familiar people.46 Relatedly, the youth in this study reported various levels of connectedness and experiences of relational permanence in their interpersonal relationships; however, there was a pattern where nearly all youth reported more negative perceptions of relationships with their caseworkers, attorneys, judges, GALs, or therapists. When asked to consider their needs for building relationships or expanding their social support, all youth reported significant challenges and distrust in connecting with others.

Difficulty trusting or forming relationships is echoed in prior literature, and youth in this study also encountered challenges getting their social support needs met due to the issues with trust.16,22 One consideration is some of the distrust may be due to the effects of trauma, which can cause disruptions across multiple domains of well-being and functioning. For example, experiences of trauma have been associated with a range of internalizing and externalizing behaviors of youth, including depression,47 anxiety,48 substance abuse, and delinquency.2 Relationships with caregivers, other adults in authority positions, or even peers may also be impacted.49 However, given the findings that youth in this study perceived transactional relationships and a number of broken trust opportunities by their child welfare professionals (e.g., missed meetings by professionals, insufficient attempts by professionals to get to know the youth, feeling that their needs or wishes were ignored or devalued by professionals), it is also possible that experiencing ongoing relational challenges in foster care could exacerbate youths’ reluctance to engage with others. No youth made a point to say they did not want relationships with their caseworker or other child welfare professionals. However, it may be important to consider that the current child welfare system is not always tailored to the needs of individual youth, and that youths’ need for attentive consistency could be elevated from prior or ongoing trauma.

When asked to reflect upon self-advocacy, youth in the current study described experiences in which they perceived the nature of the foster care system, as well as their interactions with child welfare professionals, as inhibiting their voice. They also expressed the desire for platforms (generally a person or place) to share their needs, preferences, and desires. One way to better understand this finding is to look at it through the lens of empowerment research and theory. Empowerment is typically characterized by the means in which individuals, groups, or communities gain power over their own lives or over the contexts that shape their lives.50 Theories of empowerment typically describe the problems that people face within the context of systemic or environmental oppression, and persons with less advantages typically experience the most challenges to their freedom.51 Empowerment is particularly relevant for youth in foster care as they generally lack significant control over their lives due to the structure of the system, loss of natural or familiar connections, and ongoing surveillance and support until they age out of the child welfare system. Research suggests that youth who report higher involvement in the process of planning their case and transition into adulthood report more satisfaction with their experiences; however, youth may not consistently be experiencing the opportunity to participate.7

The field of empowerment research and theory is relatively diverse or varied in its exact application of specific terminology or concepts to youth; however, the themes of power, participation, and education are most commonly addressed in youth empowerment literature.50 A systematic review of youth empowerment research also found that there are a number of attributes of youth empowerment, such as (a) promotive of growth and well-being, (b) relational, (c) educational, (d) political, (e) transformative, and (d) emancipative aspects of empowerment.50 Foster care research echoes these themes. For example, adults formerly in foster care and youth with disabilities transitioning out of care have reported that gaining self-advocacy skills were markedly important for transitioning into adulthood.23,24 The attributes of youth empowerment are relevant to the findings of this study in that youth reported different perceptions of factors that they felt were linked to future success. For example, youth noted that positive and supportive relationships provided a means for growth and development and that access to education and information were key aspects of their individual success as they transitioned into adulthood.

LIMITATIONS

The intent of photovoice methodology is to represent and elevate the voices of the specific study participants. It is possible that participants may have unique experiences that may or may not be shared with other youth in foster care or living in group care settings. However, the expressions across this diverse group of youth and the detail in which they shared their stories and self-created photographs supports the interpretation and transferability of findings.

Sample sizes are generally small to facilitate the feasibility and depth of data collection, however this limits the study’s generalizability. The sampling was composed of five females and only one male participant all of whom were from the state of Florida. Although there were other youth interested in participating, the researchers were limited in who could participate due to scheduling conflicts (e.g., overlapping treatment/activity appointments) and delays hearing back about parental or child welfare system consent when youth were placed out of county. Despite the small size, the sample composition of the current study is one of its strengths. The study’s sample included youth from diverse racial groups, youth from two different group home sites, youth with experiences in multiple county child welfare systems, youth with both lived experience in child welfare and juvenile justice systems, as well as youth who were parenting or preparing to parent and those who were childfree.

Finally, the domains or topics were pre-selected based upon conversations and interest with the supporting child welfare agency. Although emerging themes were identified and included in this report, there are other aspects of transitioning into adulthood or independent living that may not be captured.