Why youth run: Assessing run function to stabilize foster care placement

Kimberly Crosland, Ruby Joseph, Lindsey Slattery, Sharon Hodges and Glen Dunlap

Children and Youth Services Review, 2018, vol. 85, issue C, 35-42

Abstract: Youth running away from foster care placements is a serious problem that can significantly impact health and well-being. Given the severity of the problem, it is important to identify reasons youth run away because this information could help to identify effective intervention strategies. This paper describes results from focus groups conducted with child welfare providers, educational personnel, and youth with histories of running away from foster care placements. The qualitative analysis revealed that youth's motivation for running, or the function of running away, fell into two general categories: running “to” something (friends, activities, etc.) or running “away” from something (aversive placements, etc.). Suggestions are provided for how understanding the reason for running away could help in determining successful prevention and intervention strategies that result in stable placements.

Keywords: Runaway; Child welfare; Foster care; AWOL; Functional assessment; Focus groups (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:85:y:2018:i:c:p:35-42

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.12.002

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