Developmental Implications of Extended Foster Care for Sexual Minority Young Adults

Background: Upon their exit from foster care, young adults who identify as sexual minorities (YSM) experience markedly worse outcomes in early adulthood compared to their heterosexual peers. Yet, no research has explored whether participation in extended foster care (EFC), a program that provides transitional services for young adults leaving care, improves YSM well-being. Using a developmental minority stress framework, this study answers two questions: (1) Do early adult outcomes differ by sexual minority status and EFC participation?, and (2) Does EFC participation moderate the association between sexual minority status and early adult outcomes?

Method: Our analytic sample included 616 young adults who participated in Waves 1 through 3 (ages 17, 19, and 21, respectively) of the CalYOUTH study, a longitudinal evaluation of California’s EFC program that followed a representative sample young people exiting foster care. Sexual minority status (IV; Wave 1) was derived from participants’ self-reported sexual preference and dichotomously coded as “100% heterosexual/straight” or non-heterosexual. EFC participation (moderator; Wave 2) was measured as a dichotomous (yes/no) variable indicating whether participants were in EFC at age 19. Early adult well-being (DV; Wave 3) was assessed using seven dichotomous (yes/no) indicators: college enrollment, employment, parental status, homelessness, diagnosis with a behavioral health disorder, and incarceration. We used hierarchical linear probability models and logistic regression to examine the relationships between sexual minority status, extended foster care participation, and each of the seven outcomes, while accounting for demographic, foster care, and health characteristics.

Results: Nearly one-quarter (23.4%) of participants identified as a sexual minority at Wave 1 and 78.4% were in EFC at Wave 2. Bivariate comparisons revealed YSM experienced higher rates of economic hardship (p < .05), behavioral health disorders (p < .001), and homelessness (p < .10). EFC participation was associated with higher rates of college enrollment regardless of sexual minority status (p < .001). Linear probability models showed EFC participation significantly moderated the association between sexual minority status and two outcomes: employment and parental status (p < .05). Compared to their heterosexual peers, YSM in EFC had a lower probability of employment but a higher probability of having a child. While there was no evidence of moderation, the relationships between sexual minority status and both homelessness and economic hardship were no longer significant after accounting for EFC participation. EFC participation increased the probability of college enrollment for all young adults. In contrast, EFC did not decrease the probability of YSM having a behavioral health disorder. Neither EFC nor sexual minority status were associated with the odds of incarceration.

Conclusion and Implications: Our study (1) demonstrates the moderating role of EFC in the relationship between sexual minority status in adolescence and well-being in early adulthood, (2) identifies domains where EFC reduces disparities, and (3) highlights areas where disparities persist or worsen. Together, these findings point to opportunities to prioritize the development and evaluation of specialized services that address the developmental needs of YSM exiting foster care.