The Association between Foster Youth Permanency and Well-Being

Jeena Williams, Fordham University

Abstract

Permanency and well-being are major objectives of child welfare. This study examined whether permanency was a predictor of well-being as measured by a 6-point well-being scale. Permanency-related data from the 2011 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System were used to predict outcomes data captured by the 2013 National Youth in Transition Database for 7,897 youth who voluntarily participated in outcomes surveys. Logistic regression indicated that legal permanency predicted well-being only if it was sustained, and that physical permanency was a secondary option for youth who didn't sustain legal permanency. Other permanency-related predictors included termination of parental rights and a single removal for youth who sustained legal permanency, and female gender; younger age at removal; living in a family setting; and not having a permanency goal for youth who achieved physical permanency. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.

Subject Area

Social work

Recommended Citation

Williams, Jeena, "The Association between Foster Youth Permanency and Well-Being" (2018). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI13424561.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI13424561

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