“Still in Transition”: Young adults’ retrospective accounts of foster care breakdown during adolescence

Background

Foster care is intended to offer safety and stability for children and youths who have experienced abuse, neglect, or significant family disruption. However, foster care breakdown—defined as the premature and unplanned termination of a placement—can reactivate earlier attachment injuries and contribute to long-term emotional and relational difficulties. These disruptions are especially impactful during adolescence, a developmental period marked by identity formation, changing social roles, and increased emotional sensitivity. Despite the prevalence of foster care breakdown, its outcome from the perspectives of those who directly experienced it has seen only limited research.

Objective

This qualitative retrospective study examines the emotional, psychological, and relational consequences of foster care breakdown, as described by young adults reflecting on experiences that occurred during adolescence.

Participants and Setting

Fourteen young Israeli adults (ages 16–30), all of whom experienced at least one foster care breakdown during adolescence, participated in the study.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed thematically using a phenomenological framework to explore participants’ lived experiences.

Results

Participants reported immediate emotional distress following foster care breakdown, including feelings of rejection, instability, and anxiety. Many described a prolonged sense of being in a state of transition. Long-term effects included diminished self-worth, existential insecurity, and ongoing challenges with respect to trust and attachment. Some participants also demonstrated adaptive coping and resilience.

Conclusions

The findings emphasize the enduring impact of foster care breakdown on adolescent development and highlight the importance of trauma-informed, attachment-sensitive, and developmentally responsive care for youths with complex trauma histories.