Date of Conferral

8-6-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Chet Lesniak

Abstract

Perceptions of safety and emotional support during involvement with child protective services (CPS) during adolescence may play a significant role in shaping attachment experiences and relationships in adulthood. Although researchers have examined the effects of child maltreatment and foster care involvement, limited research has explored how adolescents perceive emotional support and safety during CPS involvement and how those experiences influence attachment in adulthood. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of adults who experienced CPS involvement during adolescence and to understand how perceptions of safety and emotional support are reflected in their adult attachment relationships. Data were collected through interviews with eight adults who experienced removal and placement through CPS during adolescence. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: (a) sense of safety, (b) emotional support and attachment, (c) adult attachment and attachment patterns, and (d) the continuing influence of child protective custody. Participants described experiences of a lack of emotional support and safety, and challenges in establishing trust and secure relationships in adulthood. The findings suggest that perceptions of safety and emotional support during CPS involvement may influence attachment development later in life. The results contribute to positive social change by informing child welfare policies, trauma-informed practices, and attachment-focused interventions designed to enhance emotional support and promote positive relational outcomes for adolescents involved in CPS.

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