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Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, this dissertation compared the transition outcomes of foster and non-foster care youth. Youth were matched using propensity score methodology, which models the likelihood to be in foster care based on a set of pre-existing characteristics, and traditional matching methods based on demographic characteristics (i.e., gender, race, age, parent's education, income, and having a stepparent). Bivariate and multivariate analysis revealed that foster youth fared worse than unmatched youth in all transition domains. However, outcomes were similar for foster youth and youth matched using propensity scoring in all domains except housing. This suggests that the pre-existing characteristics that put youth at risk for foster care may contribute to their difficulties in emerging adulthood rather than the experience of foster care itself. Findings using the traditionally matched samples showed some group differences suggesting that a larger set of attributes than those matched on contribute to foster youth difficulties. Analyses examining interaction effects between foster care and characteristics associated with negative transition outcomes did not identify any particularly vulnerable subgroups of foster youth. These findings are a substantive departure from past research, which suggested that foster youth were falling behind youth in the general population and comparison youth. Findings from this dissertation are used to provide policy and practice recommendations for foster youth and other vulnerable youth.

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Copyright of Research on Social Work Practice is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Methods: Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, this study compared the housing experiences of former foster youth (n=126), matched youth (n=126), and non-matched youth in the general population (n=8194). The matched sample was created using propensity scoring to model the likelihood to be in foster care based on a set of pre-existing characteristics. Propensity scores were created using nearest neighbor 1 to 1 matching with caliper .25σ. Bivariate analysis explored housing experiences related to homelessness, housing stability, housing independence, and living situation during the transition to adulthood. Multivariate analysis was used to examine factors associated with particular housing patterns.

Results: Analysis revealed that housing experiences were similar for former foster youth and youth in the matched sample with some differences to youth in the general population. With regard to homelessness, former foster youth experienced higher rates than youth in the general population, but similar rates to comparison youth. Considering housing stability, the number of moves and the expectation to move within the next year was similar for youth in all three groups. Examining housing independence, experiences were similar across the three groups with regard to living on one's own, the year the youth first moved out, moving back in with parents or guardians, and rates of home ownership. Considering living situation, some differences were noted for former foster youth and youth in the general population, mainly with regard to cohabitation and living in a dormitory. Multivariate analysis suggests housing experiences were tied to income, education level, and other transition experiences rather than foster care history.

Conclusions and Implications: Study findings suggest some areas of promise for former foster youth, mainly their ability to secure stable, independent housing at similar rates and ages to other youth. While these findings suggest success, rates of homelessness are well-above youth in the general population during this transition period. Additionally, their high rates of cohabitation and low rates of dormitory living are likely tied to other transition outcomes around securing adult relationships and obtaining higher levels of education. These factors may set youth up for negative trajectories and have implications for policy and service delivery. Findings from this study are used to provide policy and practice recommendations with regard to housing and transition services for former foster youth.