Date of Conferral

2-18-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Social Work

Advisor

Jacqueline Cook-Jones

Abstract

Foster youths with learning disabilities face numerous challenges as they transition out of care, including housing instability, unemployment, and mental health issues. Despite these barriers, research focusing on this specific population is limited. Guided by Taormina’s adult personal resilience theory, this qualitative case study explored the experiences and perceptions of former foster youths with learning disabilities to inform interventions and improve service delivery and policy improvements. The research questions addressed the experiences of former foster youths with learning disabilities transitioning out of care, the unique challenges associated with transitioning out of foster care as experienced by former foster youths with learning disabilities, and how former foster youths with learning disabilities experience determination, endurance, adaptability, and recuperability in their transition out of foster care. Data was collected from semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of eight former foster youths, self-identified as having learning disabilities, and four service providers working with this population. Thematic analysis revealed six themes and one subtheme: housing instability, employability, longing to belong, impact of learning disabilities, lack of support, survival, and unresolved closure. The findings underscore the need to develop effective support systems that facilitate smoother transitions and enhance overall well-being of foster youths with learning disabilities.

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