Narrative Life-Course Case Studies with Alumni of Congregate Foster Care

Background and Purpose: A large body of research has explored outcomes in emerging adulthood for youth who age out of foster care. However, individuals beyond their mid-twenties have received scant attention, particularly those who are alumni of congregate care. Given what we know about challenges facing young adults up to the age of 27, middle and later adulthood warrant further examination. This work takes a life course perspective to examine this under-researched population by highlighting the actual and complete transition to adulthood as well as their transitions to parenthood by examining their retrospective life-course. This in-depth case study approach is utilized to inform the importance of widening the lens beyond the transition to adulthood period, and to highlight some of the important domains in need of further research across the life course for this population.

Methods: Two in-depth, semi-structured narrative interviews were conducted with adults (ages 50 and 74) who aged out of congregate care in a large Canadian Province, one white female and one biracial male. Participants were recruited at public youth protection hearings for a pilot feasibility study. Interviews elicited participants’ retrospective life histories, including how participants experienced their transition to adulthood and parenthood and how their health evolved over time. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded thematically with pen and paper guided by the principles of narrative life course methodology.

Findings: The findings highlight the theme of cumulative loss and trauma, further divided into three subthemes: loss of community in congregate care, trauma and abuse in congregate care, and healing and recovery after residential care. Unexpectedly, the majority of the healing and recovery process occurred in the participants’ 40s, following significant life crises prompted by difficulties with parenthood. Participants experienced varying levels of resilience across the life course. Participants experienced similar recoveries, however, their trajectories and experiences in placement also differed due to their specific cultural and temporal contexts. Both provided insights about what was harmful and helpful during their stays in residential care.

Conclusion and Implications: These findings suggest researchers and clinicians need to expand panel studies and track alumni of congregate care longer to understand their life course outcomes as well as to examine the potential intergenerational impacts of institutionalized placement. This study suggests that even for very resilient alumni of congregate care, that they may struggle emotionally in significant ways with their parental roles. These data highlight a critical research gap and offer an opportunity for clinical, lifespan and youth protection researchers to examine hardships and resilience for institutionalized children across their life course and broadening the current developmental models applied in current longitudinal studies.