Abstract Research shows that for youth living in foster care, strong social support networks (SSNs) can promote resilience across life domains and help alleviate adverse experiences. While prior research documented the relationship between social bonds and reduced crime based on social bonds theory, the role of SSNs in explaining legal system involvement remains understudied. To increase the understanding of the protective factors that help mitigate heightened rates of incarceration among youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood, this study examined the relationship between SSNs and incarceration by considering various characteristics of SSNs (adequacy, type, size, and source). The authors used longitudinal data of transition-age young people in care (N = 616) to examine associations between SSNs and later incarceration. Findings showed that compared with those who reported having inadequate support at age 17, rates of incarceration at age 21 were significantly lower among those who reported having adequate support of two types: emotional and advice/guidance. Regression analyses showed that adequate emotional support, in particular, was a strong protective factor for later incarceration after controlling for covariates. The analyses provide nuanced insights that suggest there may be optimal support types that mitigate incarceration risks. The authors discuss child welfare practice, policy, and research implications.
Park et al. (2025) studied this question.