Investigating the Occupational Needs of Emancipated Young Adults From the Perspective of Key Stakeholders

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of emancipated young adults from the perspective of key stakeholders and to examine how these needs align with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF; American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). In 2013 an estimated 23,090 youths were emancipated from the foster care system (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, 2013). Common challenges that have been identified in this population include difficulties with adapting to stress and adversity, forming stable relationships, developing adaptive behaviors, attaining education and housing, managing the household and finances, and obtaining child care (Okpych & Courtney, 2014; Paul-Ward, 2009; Singer, Berzin, & Hokanson, 2013; Yen, Hammond, & Kushel, 2009). Despite these challenges, many emancipated young adults are driven and motivated to learn about how to successfully make the transition from foster care to independent living. Independent living programs (ILPs) serve as a resource to help young adults transition out of foster care. The inclusion of occupation-based approaches at ILPs may further aid emancipated young adults in building skills for independent living (Paul-Ward, Lambdin-Pattavina, & Haskell, 2014).

DESIGN AND METHOD: This study used a qualitative phenomenological design. Two semistructured focus groups were conducted with nine life coaches, two supervisors, one educational specialist, and one employment specialist. Participants’ years of work experience ranged from 2 mo to 10 yr. Focus groups were guided by 25 questions created by the researchers based on a review of the literature and the OTPF. Focus group recordings were transcribed verbatim and then coded individually and as a group. The group condensed the codes into 38 categories and identified four final themes. The categories and themes were aligned with the OTPF.

RESULTS: The four emerging themes included participation and role competence, quality of life, well-being, and occupational justice. Participation and role competence: The young adults commonly required support with the following occupations: home management, employment, education, and child rearing. Roles included life coach mentee, roommate, friend or peer, employee, and family member. Quality of life: Supports and barriers impacted the quality of life of emancipated young adults positively and negatively. Supports included motivation, resilience, resourcefulness, hope, and survival skills. Barriers included low socioeconomic status, few resources available, transient living, abuse, and lack of role models. Well-being: Factors that negatively affected the well-being of emancipated young adults included a history of abandonment, lack of trust, or having a physical or mental health problem. Environmental factors included an unstable home establishment, traumatic transitions, or gangs and violence. Occupational justice: Occupational injustices experienced by emancipated young adults included occupational marginalization resulting in neglect, manipulation, or human trafficking and occupational alienation from services such as health care, role models, and opportunities for skill building.

CONCLUSION: The needs of emancipated young adults strongly align with the occupational outcomes of the OTPF. Coupling life coach and occupational therapy services at ILPs may improve young adults’ role competence, quality of life, and well-being and the potential for occupational justice.

References

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System. (2013). The AFCARS report. Retrieved from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/afcarsreport21.pdf

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2014). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (3rd ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(Suppl. 1), S1–S48. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.682006

Okpych, N. J., & Courtney, M. E. (2014). Does education pay for youth formerly in foster care? Comparison of employment outcomes with a national sample. Children and Youth Services Review, 43, 18–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.04.013

Paul-Ward, A. (2009). Social and occupational justice barriers in the transition from foster care to independent adulthood. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63, 81–88. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.63.1.81

Paul-Ward, A., Lambdin-Pattavina, C., & Haskell, A. (2014). Occupational therapy’s emerging role with transitioning adolescents in foster care. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 30, 162–177. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2014.909651

Singer, E., Berzin, S., & Hokanson, K. (2013). Voices of former foster youth: Supportive relationships in the transition to adulthood. Children and Youth Services Review, 35, 2110–2117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.10.019

Yen, I. H., Hammond, W. P., & Kushel, M. B. (2009). From homeless to hopeless and healthless? The health impacts of housing challenges among former foster care youth transitioning to adulthood in California. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 32, 77–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/01460860902740982