When I got pregnant, I was really scared’
US youth in foster care’s perspectives on pregnancy and parenting while in care
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15098122 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Christina Ro (0000-0003-4380-5274, University of Connecticut, corresponding author), Neha Raghunath (University of Connecticut), Jessica G Smith (0000-0003-4769-1905, Virginia Commonwealth University), Yutong Song (0000-0003-3153-1018, University of Connecticut), Tracy L Walters (0000-0003-0017-5612, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater), Anita F Oppong (0009-0005-8416-5746, University of Connecticut), Natalie J Shook (0000-0002-4794-408X, University of Connecticut), Natalie Shook (University of Connecticut), Eva S Lefkowitz (0000-0001-9227-0662, University of Connecticut), Eva Lefkowitz (University of Connecticut) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-12 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-11 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Culture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13691058.2026.2632864 |
| PMID | 41808520 |
| OpenAlex | W7134959208 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 30 |
Young people in foster care in the USA face numerous challenges, including a higher risk of unplanned pregnancy compared to their peers. This qualitative study explored the experiences of young Black women (aged 18-20 years) in foster care of pregnancy and parenting. Semi-structured interviews with eight participants who gave birth while in foster care revealed how the inconsistent use of birth control methods contributed to unplanned pregnancies. Participants reported limited support and resources from caregivers and healthcare providers and faced challenges as new mothers due to feeling unprepared and experiencing unstable housing. Despite these challenges, participants described their children as positive influences on their lives, providing motivation and love. These findings highlight the need for youth-friendly, accessible sexual and reproductive health education and comprehensive support from caregivers and healthcare providers to promote the well-being of young mothers and their infants
Feeling · Foster care · Health care · Pregnancy · Qualitative research · Reproductive health · Young adult · Child Abuse and Trauma · Child Welfare and Adoption · Reproductive Health and Technologies
Condoms, Trust and Stealthing
Practitioner and foster carer perceptions of the support needs of young parents in and exiting out-of-home care
Towards a Model of Positive Youth Development Specific to Girls of Color
Parenting and Mental Health needs of Young, Maltreated parents
Normative Sexual Health Development in Non-Normative Circumstances
Positive Youth Development A View of the Issues
Pregnancy risk among older youth transitioning out of foster care
Birth children of foster carers
We are kind of their parents”
It was only me against the world.” Female African American Adolescents’ perspectives on their sexual and reproductive health learning and experiences while in foster care
The love that I was missing”
My body is strong and amazing”
Feasibility Cues during a Sexual Encounter Impact the Strength of Heterosexual Women’s Orgasm Goal Pursuit
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Just Trying to Make it Through
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |