We stick together! COVID-19 and psychological adjustment in youth residential care

Family Support, Resilience, and Life Goals of Young People in Residential Care

Establishing goals for young people in residential care (RC) is a gap in the literature, especially in terms of the relationship between family support and resilience. The literature suggests that RC is associated with the breakdown of family relationships, so the possibility of the family playing a positive role in establishing life goals for young people is reduced. However, family support in the context of organization and stability can be assumed to be a protective factor for the formulation of life goals and contribute to the resilient development of young people. This study aimed to analyze the role of family support in the process of setting goals for young people in RC, as well as to analyze the potential mediating role of resilience in the previous association. The sample included 124 young people aged between 12 and 23 years living in RC. The results point to a positive association between family support (autonomy) and the planning of life goals and verify the total mediating effect of resilience in this association. The results are discussed considering attachment theory and the role of the family in the adaptive development of young people. This study's findings provide important indications for developing future interventions.

Youth psychosocial resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Globally, youth have experienced heightened levels of stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though many youth showed resilience to mental health problems despite this increased stress. The current review covers emerging literature published in the past three years on resilience factors that promote more positive mental health in youth ages 10-18 years. These factors generally fall into three categories: 1) resilience factors at the level of the individual, 2) social resilience factors, and 3) interventions to enhance youth resilience during the pandemic. We include recommendations for future longitudinal research to better understand and promote resilience given the context of the pandemic, particularly for youth who experienced high levels of adversity.

Professionals' Perspectives on the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Child and Adolescent Victims of Domestic Violence Living in the Portuguese Residential Foster Care System

The COVID-19 pandemic had several negative impacts on child and adolescent victims of domestic violence, especially on those who lived in the residential foster care system. The main goal of the present study was to understand these negative impacts through the perspectives of professionals in Portuguese residential foster care structures using both individual interviews and an online survey. One hundred and three professionals aged between 22 and 64 years (M = 38.39; SD = 8.34) participated in the online survey (86 females and 17 males). Of those, seven professionals, four females and three males aged between 29 and 49 years (M = 38.43, SD = 7.50), were also interviewed. According to the participants, the conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic contributed adversely not only to the increase in domestic violence against children and adolescents but also to the aggravation of the conditions children and adolescents living in the Portuguese residential foster care system were exposed to, namely concerning family relationships, access to resources and services, and institutional dynamics. The results suggest the necessity to develop standard procedures to cope with pandemic situations in the residential foster care system.

A Creative and Movement-Based Blended Intervention for Children in Outpatient Residential Care: A Mixed-Method, Multi-Center, Single-Arm Feasibility Trial

The COVID-19 pandemic led to psychological distress among children and adolescents. Due to multiple psychosocial burdens, the youth in residential care were especially exposed to an increased risk of mental health problems during the pandemic. In a multi-center, single-arm feasibility trial, N = 45 children and adolescents aged 7-14 years were allocated to a 6-week blended care intervention, conducted in six outpatient residential child welfare facilities. The intervention covered a once weekly face-to-face group session for guided creative (art therapy, drama therapy) and movement-oriented (children's yoga, nature therapy) activities. This was accompanied by a resilience-oriented mental-health app. Feasibility and acceptance analyses covered app usage data and qualitative data. Effectiveness was determined by pre-post comparisons in quantitative data on psychological symptoms and resources. Further, subgroups for poorer treatment outcome were explored. The intervention and app were considered to be feasible and were accepted by residential staff and the children. No significant pre-post changes were found across quantitative outcomes. However, being female, being in current psychosocial crisis, a migration background, or a mentally ill parent were correlated with change in score of outcomes from baseline. These preliminary findings pave the way for future research on blended care interventions among at-risk children and adolescents.

Group Homes and COVID-19: Perspectives of Youth Residents, Staff, and Caregivers

Objective: This study explored the perspectives of being in a youth group home during the COVID-19 pandemic from youth residents, staff, and caregivers. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 9 youth residents, 8 group home staff members, and 13 caregivers of residents. All participants were connected to the group home before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was used to identify lived experience themes. Results: Two overarching themes were identified among the youth residents—Safety response to COVID-19 and Socialization changes due to COVID—along with three subthemes: Structure leading to separation, Support and belonging amid a pandemic, and Competency. Three overarching themes were identified among the group home staff: Safety response to COVID-19, Increased responsibility, and Mental health changes because of a pandemic. Finally, three overarching themes were identified among the guardians of youth residents: Safety response to COVID-19, Belief in a mental health impact on the child, and Communication during a pandemic. Conclusions: The findings provide the experiences among three group home stakeholders. Overall, they demonstrated resilience in a setting and time when resilience was essential. Finally, the findings offer insight on the basis of which group homes/organizations can prepare for crises of a great magnitude, including vital communication elements.