The experiences of older youth in and aged out of foster care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Material and financial well-being by foster care status, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and race

Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2022;92(3):334-348. doi: 10.1037/ort0000615. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

Abstract

As a marginalized, underresourced population, older youth with foster care experience are acutely vulnerable to the economic and social harms wrought by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study summarizes findings from an online survey deployed in April 2020 to learn about the experiences of current and former foster youth (ages 18-23) during 1 month of the COVID-19 crisis. Using snowball sampling and a cross-sectional design, the survey yielded a final analysis sample of 281 respondents from 32 states and 192 cities or districts. Findings underscore the pervasive negative impacts of COVID-19 on respondents' housing/living situations, food security, employment, and financial stability. Chi-square tests and post hoc analyses revealed demographic disparities in respondents' experiences during COVID-19. Youth who aged out of care, cisgender females, nonstraight youth, and non-White youth were significantly more likely than demographic counterparts to experience pandemic-related adversities. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pandemics*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Young Adult