Early Adult Identification Among Youth With Foster Care Experience: Implications for Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Research is scarce that examines how previous life experiences impact emerging adulthood, generally recognized as a distinct developmental stage between ages 18 and 26. Using cumulative advantage-disadvantage theory, this study explores differences during the transition to adulthood between youth with and without foster care experience. A multiple-step, multiple-mediator model with logistic regression was used with data from Wave III of Add Health (n = 13,574). Results suggest that youth with foster care experience are undergoing an accelerated path to their adult identities. No longer attending school and perceived independence help explain this finding.