Aging Out Of Foster Care: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Dual-System Impact Of “System Integration” Policy On Incarceration Outcomes In Early Adulthood
Open Access
- Author:
- Solis Castanon, Mayra
- Graduate Program:
- Human Development and Family Studies
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- October 04, 2024
- Committee Members:
- Christian Michael Connell, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Jennifer Maggs, Committee Member
Douglas Teti, Program Head/Chair - Keywords:
- youth
dual status
dually involved
foster care placement
juvenile justice system - Abstract:
- This study investigates predictors of youth reincarceration, focusing on demographic, socio-economic, foster care placement-related factors, and state juvenile justice policies. Using multilevel analyses on data from the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), key predictors (e.g., Cohort Year, Gender, Sexual Abuse History, and Foster Care Placement Setting) of incarceration at ages 19 and 21 were identified, among a cohort of youth with a history of incarceration prior to age 19. The sample consisted of 10,859 youth, with 53% male and 47% female participants. In terms of race/ethnicity, the sample included 40% White, 30% Black/African American, 20% Hispanic, and 10% identifying as other racial or ethnic groups. Results show that gender and cohort year significantly predicted incarceration risk, with males and younger (e.g., year 2014) cohorts being more likely to be incarcerated. Additionally, a history of sexual abuse was associated with lower odds of incarceration, contrary to expectations. Foster Care placement settings also emerged as significant, with youth placed in pre-adoptive home, foster home with relative, and foster home with non-relative showed significantly reduced odds of incarceration compared to those in category group home/institution, Further, state juvenile justice policies did not seem to play a role on future incarceration outcomes for adolescents. Despite its contributions, the study is limited by missing data and the variables available in the datasets. The findings underscore the importance of both individual and systemic factors in shaping incarceration outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to reduce youth incarceration and support vulnerable populations.