Abstract: Exploring LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Care's Mental Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health Experiences within the Context of Intersecting Systems of Oppression (Society for Social Work and Research 28th Annual Conference - Recentering & Democratizing Knowledge: The Next 30 Years of Social Work Science)

Schedule:

Friday, January 12, 2024

Marquis BR Salon 13, ML 2 (Marriott Marquis Washington DC)

* noted as presenting author

Jennifer Robinson, MPH, PhD Candidate, University of Maryland at College Park, MD

Madeline Chaunt, MPH, Research Assistant, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD

Megan McCarthy, MPH, Research Assistant, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD

Swati Sah, MPH, PhD Student, University of Maryland at College Park

Michelle Jasczynski, PhD, Postdoctoral Faculty Assistant, University of Maryland at College Park, MD

Francia Ximena Marin Gutierrez, MSW, Research Coordinator, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD

Alexis Hunter, MA, PhD Student, University of Maryland at College Park

Jessica Fish, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Maryland at College Park, MD

John Salerno, PhD, Provost's Postdoctoral Scientist, Columbia University, New York City, NY

Olivia Kachingwe, PhD, Assistant Professor, Yale University, MA

Claire Dormitzer, BA, Research Assistant, University of Maryland at College Park

Chloe Bernardi, MSW, LCSW-C, CEO and President, Hearts and Homes for Youth, Burtonsville, MD

Bradley Boekeloo, PhD, Professor, University of Maryland at College Park, MD

Elizabeth Aparicio, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD

Background and Purpose: Youth in foster care with multiple marginalized identities face unique threats to their well-being due to intersecting systems of oppression. Youth in foster care are at higher risk for poor mental health and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, which is further exacerbated by experiences of stigma and discrimination among those from minoritized communities. LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented, yet underserved, in the foster care system, and little is known about the needs and experiences of this population. The current study examines the mental health and SRH needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care within the context of intersecting systems of oppression.

Methods: This analysis is part of a larger study investigating the mental health and sexual health needs of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. Our team conducted 15 in-depth individual interviews with LGBTQ+ youth with foster care backgrounds (n=6, aged 16-26) and professionals and caregivers who work with LGBTQ+ youth in foster care (n=9). The majority of the youth were Black or African American (66%) and had diverse sexual and gender identities (e.g., five trans/ genderqueer youth; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and asexual youth). The majority of professionals in the sample were White (55%) and cisgender women (78%). Among professionals, 56% identified as straight and 44% as LGBTQ+ (e.g., bisexual, queer). Youth and professionals were asked to share information about the mental health and SRH needs of LGBTQ+ youth. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Participants described challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth in foster care, including the effects of systemic (e.g., child welfare system, state laws) and interpersonal (e.g., peers, foster families, providers) discrimination. Youth with multiple marginalized identities reported unique forms of oppression at the intersection of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and disability. For instance, a Black LGBTQ+ foster youth participant described experiencing bullying both due to their race and sexuality. Professionals discussed how discriminatory policies can harm LGBTQ+ youth in foster care and restrict their access to social support through LGBTQ+ communities. For example, a lack of licensure of LGBTQ+ foster parents, and a lack of consideration of a youth’s identity during placement decisions, can lead to LGBTQ+ youth being placed in non-affirming households, which both professionals and youth described as leading to tension and were harmful to the youth’s mental health and SRH. Participants discussed how programming and policy changes could better support LGBTQ+ youth (e.g., licensure of LGBTQ+ foster parents, required training for professionals).

Conclusions and Implications: Youth in foster care with multiple marginalized identities experience unique stigma and discrimination affecting their well-being. Intersectionality should be considered in the development of mental health and SRH programming for foster youth. These findings have multi-level implications for policy changes and advocacy to improve access to affirming mental health and sexual and reproductive healthcare for LGBTQ+ youth. Professionals working with LGBTQ+ youth in foster care can use these findings to understand the intersecting needs among youth in foster care and create more attuned interventions.