ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This study examined the differences in the utilization of post-care independent living services between youth who grew up in foster care and those who grew up in institutional care, and analyzes how these differences lead to material deprivation, affecting various psychosocial adjustment areas (self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depression). The primary aim of this study is to determine whether the past foster care status of youth aging out of care influences their psychosocial adjustment, sequentially through their use of post-care independent living services and material deprivation. To achieve this, survey data from the ｢Panel Survey of Supported and Protected Children and Youth Preparing for Independence｣ collected in 2022, were analyzed. The primary analytical method employed was serial multiple mediation analysis using Process Macro. The main findings are as follows: First, youth who grew up in foster care had significantly lower levels of engagement with independent living services compared to those from institutional care. Moreover, lower utilization of these services was associated with higher levels of material deprivation. It was also found that material deprivation significantly impacted all psychosocial adjustment variables. Specifically, experiencing material deprivation was linked to lower self-esteem and life satisfaction, while increasing depression levels. In summary, youth who grew up in foster care had lower utilization of independent living services compared to their peers in institutional care, which led to material deprivation and negatively affected self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depression. Based on these findings, the study discusses policy and practical implications for strengthening independent living services for youth raised in foster care.

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