I am an island: Exploring the Effect of Subjective Stability and Psychological Adaptations on the Later-Life Experiences and Outcomes of Care Leavers
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Social Policy Social Work
Abstract
Overview
My proposed PhD aims to further academic understanding of the importance of stability in the later-life experiences and outcomes experienced by care leavers (people who have transitioned out of the foster care system) in England. The impetus for this work is the research recognising that despite the high level of service provision for this vulnerable group, care leavers still disproportionately suffer from poor life outcomes (in physical and mental health, family and intimate relationships, education, and employment) (Kelleher et al in Hayes, 2013). Significantly, studies show that 45% of children living in a foster care placement and 72% of children in residential care have a mental health disorder (Akister, Owens, & Goodyer, 2010).
Research to date has defined stability as placement stability (the number of family placements experienced by a looked-after child (LAC)) and as continuity in social, educational, and other networks (Jackson & Thomas, 2000). This project will aim to move beyond the limitations of these definitions by considering how stability is experienced and understood by care leavers, how these experiences relate to the lives they lead as adults, and how a wider understanding of stability can inform policy and practice.
Building upon the work carried out for my Master's degree dissertation, I not only aim to contribute to a wider understanding of stability, but also to explore how care-experienced individuals adapt to adversity, and so achieve a sense of subjective stability and "success." I want to understand how such adaptations can lead to costs in other areas of life.
I aim to answer the following research questions:
What are care leavers conceptualisations and experiences of 'subjective stability'?
What conclusions can be drawn, about care leavers' perceptions and experiences of subjective stability, and their later-life experiences and outcomes?
What can be understood about the positive adaptations care leavers make to achieve subjective stability and "success," and the effect these adaptations have on other life domains?
Methodology
I intend to conduct approximately 25-30 narrative, semi-structured interviews with care leavers in their late 20s or early 30s, to ensure that all participants experienced a similar care system, conclusions can be reasonably drawn across narratives, and participants have had time to conceptualise the subjective stability they experienced while in care and their quality of life since. I will recruit through the care leavers I met during prior research (utilising referral sampling), local authority and charity connections, and pre-existing connections in the field held by researchers at The University of York.
I will employ the narrative interview to provide my participants the agency to weave their own stories and make the links between their experiences and subjective stability as is most authentic to them. I will employ the semi-structured interview method to ensure that participants largely address my subject areas. I will recruit a sample from across England.
Given my interest in participants' inner conceptualisations of subjective stability and the experiences they view as having determined their sense of stability, I will utilise a psycho-social epistemological approach. By recognising the "inner world" and "outer world" aspects of an individual's life narrative, I will gain a deeper understanding of my participants' experiences and perceptions of subjective stability.
Given the sensitive nature of a background in care, my participants may experience discomfort during or after interviews. As such, I will provide time for discussion and offer information to external sources of support. Interviewing vulnerable individuals may also pose a risk to my own physical and emotional health, so I will inform my adviser and a family member of interview locations and will discuss any emotional difficulties with my supervisor.
My proposed PhD aims to further academic understanding of the importance of stability in the later-life experiences and outcomes experienced by care leavers (people who have transitioned out of the foster care system) in England. The impetus for this work is the research recognising that despite the high level of service provision for this vulnerable group, care leavers still disproportionately suffer from poor life outcomes (in physical and mental health, family and intimate relationships, education, and employment) (Kelleher et al in Hayes, 2013). Significantly, studies show that 45% of children living in a foster care placement and 72% of children in residential care have a mental health disorder (Akister, Owens, & Goodyer, 2010).
Research to date has defined stability as placement stability (the number of family placements experienced by a looked-after child (LAC)) and as continuity in social, educational, and other networks (Jackson & Thomas, 2000). This project will aim to move beyond the limitations of these definitions by considering how stability is experienced and understood by care leavers, how these experiences relate to the lives they lead as adults, and how a wider understanding of stability can inform policy and practice.
Building upon the work carried out for my Master's degree dissertation, I not only aim to contribute to a wider understanding of stability, but also to explore how care-experienced individuals adapt to adversity, and so achieve a sense of subjective stability and "success." I want to understand how such adaptations can lead to costs in other areas of life.
I aim to answer the following research questions:
What are care leavers conceptualisations and experiences of 'subjective stability'?
What conclusions can be drawn, about care leavers' perceptions and experiences of subjective stability, and their later-life experiences and outcomes?
What can be understood about the positive adaptations care leavers make to achieve subjective stability and "success," and the effect these adaptations have on other life domains?
Methodology
I intend to conduct approximately 25-30 narrative, semi-structured interviews with care leavers in their late 20s or early 30s, to ensure that all participants experienced a similar care system, conclusions can be reasonably drawn across narratives, and participants have had time to conceptualise the subjective stability they experienced while in care and their quality of life since. I will recruit through the care leavers I met during prior research (utilising referral sampling), local authority and charity connections, and pre-existing connections in the field held by researchers at The University of York.
I will employ the narrative interview to provide my participants the agency to weave their own stories and make the links between their experiences and subjective stability as is most authentic to them. I will employ the semi-structured interview method to ensure that participants largely address my subject areas. I will recruit a sample from across England.
Given my interest in participants' inner conceptualisations of subjective stability and the experiences they view as having determined their sense of stability, I will utilise a psycho-social epistemological approach. By recognising the "inner world" and "outer world" aspects of an individual's life narrative, I will gain a deeper understanding of my participants' experiences and perceptions of subjective stability.
Given the sensitive nature of a background in care, my participants may experience discomfort during or after interviews. As such, I will provide time for discussion and offer information to external sources of support. Interviewing vulnerable individuals may also pose a risk to my own physical and emotional health, so I will inform my adviser and a family member of interview locations and will discuss any emotional difficulties with my supervisor.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000746/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2279753 | Studentship | ES/P000746/1 | 01/10/2019 | 31/12/2023 | Flavia Walters (was Inceu) |