Opportunity Role Structure, Social Support, and Leadership

Processes of Foster Youth Advisory Board Participation

Bibliographic Data

ID11044520
AuthorsBrad Forenza (0000-0001-6963-9206, Montclair State University, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume44
Issue7
Pages904-918
Publication date2016-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Community Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-4392 • E-ISSN: 1520-6629
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jcop.21817
OpenAlexW2552761525
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited44

Youth aging out of foster care constitute a vulnerable and understudied population. In spite of evidence that suggests civic participation may be an empowering, developmental process for youth in the general population, few community psychology studies have investigated civic participation among youth aging out of state systems. This qualitative study used in‐depth interviewing with foster Youth Advisory Board leaders as the primary means to explore this intersection. Triangulated data collection also included (a) descriptive survey research with youth leaders, (b) in‐depth interviewing and descriptive research with civic youth workers/adult coordinators, and (c) nonparticipant observation of Youth Advisory Board meetings. Directed content analysis revealed 3 emergent themes (civic literacy, Youth Advisory Board as family, and privileged positions) related to foster youth civic participation. These themes are assumed to support and extend processes allied with intraorganizational empowerment (opportunity role structure, social support, and leadership). Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed

Empowerment · Interview · Political science · Population · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Youth empowerment · Child Welfare and Adoption · Community Health and Development · Psychology · Youth Development and Social Support