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Placement Instability and Risky Behaviors of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

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Abstract

Youth who age out of foster care are at risk of poor outcomes and risky behaviors in young adulthood. Yet, little is known about what child welfare workers can do to decrease these risks. The effect of foster care placement instability on substance use and risky sexual behaviors is examined using data from 114 young adults who aged out of care. When controlling for variables commonly associated with these behaviors, a history of foster care placement instability increased the young adults’ likelihood to use substances. Child welfare practitioners could potentially reduce the vulnerability of this population by providing them greater stability during adolescence.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a NIDA Dissertation Grant (5R36DA23280-2)

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  1. School of Social Work, Arizona State University, MC 3920, 411 N. Central Ave., Ste. #800, Phoenix, AZ, 85249, USA

    Tonia Stott

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Stott, T. Placement Instability and Risky Behaviors of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 29, 61–83 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-011-0247-8

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