Effects of transitions on the personal networks of young people in residential care. A longitudinal comparison of three transition types

Abstract

Social connectedness describes the basic human need of feeling close and connected with other individuals or groups. Research has stressed that personal networks play an important role in fostering social connectedness. In residential child and youth care, young people's personal networks are embedded in a dynamic social context caused by their own transitions, but also by the constant changes in the residential group constellation. This makes it more challenging to form close relationships that last over time. The current study examined the changes in young people's personal networks that are related to three typical transitions in residential care: (1) leaving care to independence, (2) return to the family of origin, and (3) change of the residential care facility. The network changes were measured in terms of the composition, size and structural characteristics in a longitudinal design with two measurement points one year apart. The sample consisted of 430 young people who lived in residential care in the German-speaking part of Switzerland at least in the first wave of data collection. The data were analyzed using a series of linear regression models with change scores (t1-t0) as dependent variables while controlling for age and gender. The results show several significant changes in the personal networks that vary between the three transition types, including changes in network size, contact frequency, support, conflict, share of family members, share of friends, and share of professionals. The results provide implications of how the personal networks of young people can be prepared and supported depending on the upcoming transitions.