Publication year: 2011
Source: Children and Youth Services Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 21 February 2011
Mary E., Rauktis , Rachael A., Fusco , Helen, Cahalane , Ivory Kierston, Bennett , Shauna M., Reinhart
While there are several measures of living environment restrictiveness, none have used the youth perspective in conceptualizing and operationalizing restrictiveness. The purpose of this qualitative study was to obtain the perspectives of child welfare involved youth who have lived in out-of-home care. Using focus group methodology, 40 youth were asked to define restriction and give examples of how it is operationalized in practice. Youth defined restriction as “rules”. The rules were about what youth can do, where they can go, who they can be with and how and with whom they can communicate. These rules were primarily characterized as inconsistent,…
Research Highlights: ►Youth in out-of-home care were asked to describe what factors make a placement restrictive. Youth equate restrictiveness with rules about what they can do, where they can go and who they can be with. Rules are perceived as a means of control or as avoiding legal responsibility. Youth affective response to the rules was primarily negative. Feelings about the rules are moderated by the youth’s prior experience of “normal” and their relationship with the individuals making or enforcing the rules.