How Does Living in Institution Impact Young Lives?’—Insights From Young People in Ci'aiyuan
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7149492 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Shian Yin (0000-0002-1361-1471, Coventry University Group Coventry University London Dagenham UK, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 760-769 |
| Publication date | 2025-07-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Children & Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0951-0605 • E-ISSN: 1099-0860 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/chso.12942 |
| OpenAlex | W4407072971 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
Institutional care often carries a negative reputation due to its perceived adverse effects on children and young people. However, it remains a significant form of alternative care in China. In Xiangxi, childcare institutions, known as ci'aiyuan , have been further expanding by involving wider populations in recent years. However, little knowledge is known about this new practice. This study sought to explore lived experiences in one such institution by involving 14 young people who were 15–18 years old and lived in ci'aiyuan at the time of data collection. Through face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews, the findings revealed three overarching themes. Living in ci'aiyuan has impacted young lives through (i) providing more supportive relationships in their social networks, (ii) increasing their self‐perceived social support and (iii) facilitating positive life trajectory shifts for certain individuals. The findings present a softer and more compassionate aspect of institutional reality, even though this represents a minority experience, challenging the dominant criticisms typically directed at institutional care. However, this study maintains that continued efforts are needed to address the complexities and challenges associated with such care settings
Institution · Lived experience · Reputation · Social science · Sociology · Child Abuse and Trauma · Child Welfare and Adoption · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology
Children in poverty
Resilience and Young People Leaving Care
Estimating the number of children in formal alternative care
The Effect of Poverty on Child Development and Educational Outcomes
Case Study Research
Young Children in Institutional Care at Risk of Harm
Stories of Care Leaving
Investigating local policy responses to support care-experienced young people in China – A scoping review
Family foster care and children’s outcomes in China
Young people's experience of social support during the process of leaving care
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Relations, relationships and relatedness
The role of carers in supporting the progress of care leavers in the world of work
Research Review
Risk, resilience and identity construction in the life narratives of young people leaving residential care
Social Support Questionnaire for Children
The contribution of resilience to one-year independent living outcomes of care-leavers in South Africa
So what am I?” — Multiple perspectives on young people's experience of leaving care
Risks and challenges of living in Institutions
Looking for a Better Way to Care for Children
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Exploring alternative care options for children in China
Moving towards a Multi-level and Multi-pillar System
| Highly cited | No |
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