A Mixed Methods Examination of Youth in Foster Care's Trust in Social Institutions

Youth in foster care interact at the intersection of multiple systems. Experiences and relationships within each system may facilitate or hinder youths’ trust. Importantly, trust has been identified as a potential contributor to improved school and life outcomes for youth in foster care. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study used surveys and focus groups to examine levels of trust and barriers or facilitators to the development of trust across systems for high school foster youth with and without disabilities. Rasch model item statistics revealed low levels of trust in the legal system (foster care system, courts, and police) and relatively low levels of trust in the education system. Youth reported high levels of trust in family and friends within their social networks. Black male youth with disabilities reported the lowest levels of trust overall. Focus groups with youth revealed experiences that created barriers to trust, such as school, foster care system, and court personnel being dishonest, not allowing youth to engage in decision-making, and unfair treatment. Interactions that facilitated trust included demonstrating care, advocating for youth, and being a consistent presence. Implications for practice and future research are provided.