September 2024Vol. 25, No. 7How Young People Transition From Care and Develop Independent Living Skills
Young people who transition to independent living after out-of-home care can experience challenges and hardships compared with peers who did not experience out-of-home care. A recent systemic review explores the intersection of independent living skills (ILS) and outcomes among youth who transition from out-of-home care.
The review examines studies that address eight domains of ILS:
- Financial management
- Knowledge of accessing available supports
- Managing housing
- Education planning
- Job seeking
- Health risk management
- Domestic and self-help task
- Managing relationships
There were 27 studies published between 1994 and 2022 that met eligibility criteria. The review authors aimed to examine the studies to understand the development of ILS among young people who transition from out-of-home care and identify ways to improve outcomes.
The review’s authors highlight that understanding outcomes among youth who transition from care requires understanding that young people develop ILS over time and throughout their lives. In addition, the authors stress that the various domains of ILS are interconnected and must be understood holistically as factors that help and hinder one another. They conclude that more research is needed for a comprehensive approach to understanding the domains to better inform policy, program, and practice improvements.
For more information, read the full article, "Understanding How Young People Transitioning From Out-of-Home Care Acquire and Develop Independent Living Skills and Knowledge: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies."
