Beyond Trauma: A Comparative Analysis of Resilience, Socio-Economic Disparities, and the Power of Sublimation in Former Institutionalized Children (Care Leavers)

This scientific report provides an in-depth analysis of the long-term life trajectories of former institutionalized children (Care Leavers) compared to the general population. Utilizing current statistical data (2024-2026) from Austria and international longitudinal studies, the article examines systemic gaps in employment, addiction prevention, and housing stability. The central thesis, "Beyond Trauma," argues that the childhood ability to find inner sanctuary can be transformed into high-level expertise through the psychological process of sublimation. By documenting case studies of successful resilience and contrasting them with structural poverty risks, this work serves as both a scientific documentation and a call for societal responsibility. It emphasizes the state's duty to foster the creative and intellectual potential inherent in every child, regardless of their institutional background.