Foster youth and at-risk non-foster youth: A propensity score and structural equation modeling analysis

Abstract

Foster youth and youth who grow up in poverty are at risk for experiencing difficulties in adulthood. However, youth in foster care may be at a greater disadvantage due to additional stressors associated with being removed from home and placed into care. Much of the research assessing outcomes associated with foster care compare foster youth to other youth in care or to youth in the general population. In the current study, we used propensity scores and careful sampling to closely match a sample of 17-year-old foster youth (N = 332) with a group of 17-year-old high-risk youth (N = 83) who had not experienced foster care to evaluate them on risk and protective factors associated with various outcomes in adulthood. A well-fitting structural equation model (SEM) indicated that compared to high risk youth who have never been in foster care, youth in foster care experience higher rates of incarceration, homelessness, early parenthood, and referral to drug and/or alcohol treatment as well as lower levels of education attainment. An interaction between foster care status and gender significantly predicted incarceration. Males in foster care were more likely to experience incarceration compared to other youth. These experiences predict further difficulties in adulthood. Implications for youth currently in care are discussed.