2005/07/01 by Alice M. Hines, Joan Merdinger, Paige Wyatt · 1 citation
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Child Welfare and Adoption #Resilience and Mental Health #Youth Development and Social Support
paper · doi:10.1037/0002-9432.75.3.381
crossref issued 2005/07/01 · crossref published 2005/07/01 · crossref published-online 2005/07/01 · openalex publication_date 2005/07/01 · crossref created 2005/08/03 · crossref deposited 2024/02/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
The primary purpose of this study was to further research and theory development in the area of risk and resilience by exploring factors associated with academic success among former foster youth--a group at high risk for developmental failure. Using data obtained from in-depth qualitative interviews with 14 former foster youth currently attending a 4-year university, the study described in this article explored factors related to their academic success. Results indicated that factors at the individual, family, and community levels and encompassing more than 1 system at a time were integral in understanding developmental pathways of these youth. Results further suggested that resilience in 1 developmental or functional domain was not necessarily reflected in others. Findings are discussed in terms of conceptual and theoretical directions for further research in the area of resilience and the transition to young adulthood, with a particular emphasis on former foster youth.