"Finally my turn to write my story": A convergent mixed methods study exploring the perceptions and experiences of emerging adults who aged out of foster care in Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Each year, thousands of young Canadians 'age out' of foster care on or before their 19th birthday. This abrupt transition to independence coincides with emerging adulthood (ages 18-29), a developmental period associated with transformational changes, including new or worsening mental health challenges.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to understand how emerging adults, who aged out of foster care in Canada, navigated their transition to independence, and specifically, how experiences of structural violence encountered pre- and post-emancipation may have influenced their mental health and capacity for positive adaptation.

Participants and setting

203 emerging adults from across Canada took part in the quantitative arm of this study, with a subsample o

SUBMITTER: Jackson B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12747405 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature