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Dissertation
Social Support and Social Support Seeking Behaviors as it Relates to Homelessness and Mental Health Among Black Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001770
Abstract
Aging out of foster care, an event that happens when a youth in care transitions out of foster care without a family, is challenging. At this time, they become young adults trying to navigate challenges including homelessness and mental health issues. Social support is an approach to reducing homelessness and mental health issues among these young adults. To provide social support for youth aging out of foster care (YAOFC), one must understand the determinants of the behaviors of seeking social support and the salient beliefs towards the behavior of the target population, which includes their social support-seeking behavioral, normative, and control beliefs. While there is some research on homelessness and mental health issues among youth aging out of foster care, there is limited research on the social support and social support-seeking behaviors of YAOFC. Even less evidence on Black youth exists, and very little on the social support-seeking behavioral, normative, and control beliefs regarding social support behaviors as it relates to homelessness and mental health issues among Black youth aging out of foster care. This study is a qualitative descriptive design study. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used to identify this population's social support-seeking behavioral, normative, and control beliefs and intentions in expectation of intervention development. Constructs of the TPB were used to develop focus group questions and analyze the data. The data collection methods incorporated a demographic questionnaire and focus groups. The results reported the challenges in the aging process related to seeking social support services. In addition, various subcategories for behavioral, normative, perceived control, and intentions for seeking social support related to homeless and mental health issues for Black youth aging out of foster care are discussed. Implications for nursing intervention and research are included. Determining the perception of social support and social support-seeking behavioral, normative, and control beliefs of this vulnerable population will further lead to intervention research designed to enhance the social support-seeking behaviors among Black aging out of foster care to promote optimum health and well-being. Keywords: Black, African American, youth aging out, foster care, social support, social support seeking, attitudes, beliefs, qualitative research, theory of planned behavior
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Details
- Title
- Social Support and Social Support Seeking Behaviors as it Relates to Homelessness and Mental Health Among Black Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
- Creators
- Amira Clemens
- Contributors
- Loretta Jemmott (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xiv, 141 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctoral Nursing; Nursing (Graduate); College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021212214604721