Role of young people’s personal network in subjective well-being: A longitudinal study in residential care
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2026
Type of student thesis
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Type
01A - Journal article
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Parent work
Children and Youth Services Review
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DOI of the original publication
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Series
Series number
Volume
183
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
108833
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Publisher / Publishing institution
Elsevier
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Abstract
The promotion of children’s and young people’s well-being has been recognized as a primary goal in residential care. Research shows that personal relationships are a key factor in well-being. However, young people in residential care are embedded in a dynamic social context, making it difficult to form close and long-lasting relationships. This study analyzed the impact of young people’s personal networks on their subjective well-being. Data spanning 2022–2024 were collected in three waves via a classroom-based or self-administered online survey. The sample comprised 228 young people living in a residential care facility in Switzerland in at least the first wave of data collection. The young people’s networks were collected through individual personal networks. Subjective well-being was measured using a slightly adapted version of the International Survey of Children’s Well-Being (ISCWeB) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using fixed-effects panel regression. Notably, the number of supportive ties (B = 0.08, p = 0.01) and contact frequency with network members (B = 0.13, p = 0.05) were positively associated with subjective well-being. However, personal networks predominantly comprising friends had a negative effect on their well-being (B = − 0.01, p = 0.02). Young people should have the opportunity to develop close and supportive relationships inside and outside the residential care facility they can rely on when they leave institutional care.
Keywords
Personal network, Well-being, Residential care, Youth, Longitudinal study
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ISBN
ISSN
0190-7409
1873-7765
1873-7765
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
peer-reviewed
Open access category
Hybrid
License
Citation
Fellmann, L., Osswald, J., Kindler, T., Köngeter, S., Schaffner, D., Schmid, T., & Carole Zellner. (2026). Role of young people’s personal network in subjective well-being: A longitudinal study in residential care. Children and Youth Services Review, 183, 108833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.108833