Exploring Social Supports Created and Maintained By Transition-Age Youth: A Thematic Analysis

Background:Transitioning out of foster care into adulthood presents significant challenges for Transition-Age Youth (TAY), who often lack the familial and social supports typically available to peers who have not experienced the child welfare system. While existing literature has examined outcomes related to housing, employment, and education, less attention has been paid to how TAY build and sustain social connections during this period. This study explores the role of social supports in the lives of TAY and addresses three central research questions: (1) How do TAY create social connections? (2) How do they maintain those connections? and (3) In what ways do these connections support their transition into adulthood?

Methods: This qualitative study included 16 participants aged 18–25 who had recently exited foster care or were receiving extended foster care services in one Southeastern state in the U.S. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences with social support during their transition to adulthood. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. An iterative coding process identified patterns across participants’ narratives, with attention to both formal and informal sources of support.

Results: Three central themes were generated through the analysis, including:

1. TAY are Self-driven to Create and Leverage Social Connections. Participants described actively seeking out relationships that could offer emotional support, guidance, and a sense of stability. These connections were often formed through formal systems, such as independent living programs, mentoring initiatives, and advocacy organizations. Peer relationships—particularly those formed with other youth who had also experienced foster care—emerged as especially meaningful, offering both understanding and solidarity rooted in shared experience.
2. TAY are Motivated and Purposeful in Maintaining Relationships. Despite the many disruptions and barriers associated with system involvement, participants shared a strong desire to maintain meaningful relationships. This included efforts to reconnect with biological family members, preserve ties to mentors or supportive adults from their time in care, and maintain consistent contact with peers. These efforts were often described as deliberate and emotionally significant, reflecting the importance of continuity and connection in a context where relationships are frequently fractured.
3. Formal and Informal Supports Provide Stability and a Sense of Belonging. Both types of support played vital roles in participants' transitions to adulthood. Formal supports offered tangible resources and structured guidance, helping youth access education, housing, and employment. Informal supports—such as relationships with trusted adults, friends, and family—were described as emotional anchors that offered identity, purpose, and encouragement. Together, these supports helped youth feel grounded and more confident navigating the challenges of emerging adulthood.

Implications: This study highlights the resourcefulness and intentionality of TAY in creating and sustaining supportive networks and underscores the importance of systems that foster enduring, meaningful relationships. Programs, policies, and practices should go beyond service provision to invest in relational permanence—such as peer mentorship, long-term adult connections, and family reconnection. Strengthening both formal and informal supports is essential to improving outcomes for youth aging out of foster care and supporting their transition into adulthood.