“The little dance”: how mother and daughter with a disability negotiate a vision for the daughter's future

In this case study, we explored how an adolescent with social-emotional and cognitive disabilities and her parent came to a shared understanding of transition goals and a vision for the future. We interviewed a 20 year-old woman with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety and her mother separately about their hopes and how they discussed the future. Directive content analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes from the interviews. The findings indicated that the mother’s and daughter’s hopes for the future differed slightly, with the daughter’s hopes being more ambitious, narrow and concrete, while the mother had a more fluid and abstract vision. We found that the mother used a person-centered approach in speaking with her daughter about the future by having a good understanding of her daughter’s hopes, following her daughter’s lead, and sharing control over decision-making. They discussed the future in small naturally occurring increments. The mother constantly evaluated when to push her daughter, when to step back, and when to gently make suggestions about the future. She also tried to balance her hopes for her daughter’s future independence with the reality of keeping her daughter safe. Implications include the need for communication between student, parent, and school personnel, and for supporting person-centered transition planning.2017-07-01T00:00:00

The Adolescent Brain: New Research and Its Implications for Young People Transitioning From Foster Care

Outlines the developmental process adolescents undergo to become healthy, connected, and productive adults; implications for foster care youth, who often lack the supports needed to gain self-regulation, coping, and resiliency skills; and recommendations

‘The sooner you can change their life course the better’: the time-framing of risks in relationship to being a young carer

In this article, we compare accounts given by young carers and specialist support workers about the riskiness of becoming a carer relatively early in life. We argue that since the mid-1990s, the policy response has problematised the comparatively early adoption of a caring role as a risk factor for future personal development. This temporal issue has become societally organised around concern about NEETs (young adults not in education, employment or training). Such a concern is predicated on cultural assumptions, now being undermined in response to economic crisis, about the existence of a critical age for transition to adulthood, successful navigation of which requires a time-limited period of personal freedom. Our findings suggest that, whereas support workers mostly see young caring in terms of risks to future prospects, young carers themselves identify not only current stresses, but also personal gains, from their experiences. Instead of categorising the timing of their caring as a source of risk, young carer respondents questioned service shortcomings which they felt made it harder for them to cope in the present, particularly inadequate social service support for relatives with disabilities and insensitivities in the education system. They did not see service providers as helping them to manage their futures. We locate this tension in risk social science debates about individualisation, transition to adulthood in late-modern society and risk management for those deemed vulnerable

A Developmental Perspective on College & Workplace Readiness

Reviews research on and identifies the physical, psychological, social, cognitive, and spiritual competencies high school graduates need to transition into college, the workplace, and adulthood. Includes strategies for meeting disadvantaged youths' needs

A Descriptive Mixed-Methods Study Examining Resilience and Transitioning to Adulthood among Emerging Adults with Disabilities

Transitioning to adulthood is not without challenges. The move away from family influence towards independence and self-determination is filled with uncertainty. As emerging adults (18-29) transition to adulthood they will encounter various challenges related to their new adult roles (Arnett & Tanner, 2005; Jensen & Arnett, 2012). Increased challenges and vulnerabilities in transitioning are evident among emerging adults with disabilities because they face additional challenges related to their disability over and above what all others of this developmental stage experience (Betz & Redcay, 2002; Blomquist, 2007; Faux & Nehring, 2010; King, Baldwin, Currie & Evans, 2005; Murray, 2003; National Research Council & Institute of Medicine, 2009; Urbano, 2010). The purpose of this mixed methods convergent parallel study was to understand resilience in a select group of emerging adults with disabilities as they are transitioning to adulthood by combining both quantitative and qualitative data. In this approach, quantitative instruments were used to measure the relationship between the independent variable of resilience and the dependent variables of physical health, mental health, satisfaction with life, and future orientation. At the same time, the central phenomenon of resilience was explored using qualitative methods of a focus group and interview with a subset of the participants. The aims of this study were twofold: (1)To gain a better understanding of resilience from the emerging adults\u27 perspective as it relates to managing adversities while transitioning to adulthood; and (2)To characterize the relationship of resilience with indicators of healthy transitioning. This study describes a select group of transitioning emerging adults with disabilities who have been recognized by others for their accomplishments. It explored their level of resilience and resilience attributes; and identified key attributes of resilience, transitioning goals and values, and challenges encountered while transitioning. Given the complexity of the topic and uniqueness of the population, this study has combined quantitative and qualitative methods for data gathering purposes. Variables were measured using survey questionnaires to quantify resilience, physical and mental health, life satisfaction, future orientation and social support resources. In addition to the survey questionnaires, a subset of the sample was invited to participate in a focus group or individual interview to supplement the quantitative data. A purposeful sample of 31 participants was recruited and completed the quantitative phase of the study. Ten of the 31 participants also participated in the qualitative phase; five participated in a focus group and five participated in individual interviews. Following a mixed method convergent parallel design, quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously and analyzed independently. The data were then merged to create a matrix reflecting quantitative variables and qualitative themes. Quantitative analyses of instrument measures conclude that participants in this select group of emerging adults with disabilities (n=31) have a moderate resilience level (M=79.1), expensive average disease burden on physical health (M=49.7), experience less than average disease burden on mental health (M=54.1), feel things are going well in their lives (M=24.9), are future orientated (M=3.43), and have a social support resources (M=3.9); independently the participants in the qualitative sample (n=10) have a moderately high resilience level (M=82.3), experience more than average disease burden on physical health (M=43.9), experience an average disease burden on mental health (M=50.1), are generally satisfied with their lives (M=23.6), are future orientated (M=3.7), and have social support resources (M=2.9). No correlation was noted between the variables resilience and physical health (r=-.277), n=31, p=n.s. two tailed). Regression analysis indicated that resilience is not a good predictor of physical health (β=-.277; t=-1.555;p=n.s.). A moderate positive correlation was noted between the variables of resilience and mental health (r=.502, n=31, p Qualitative analyses of focus group and interview data revealed the following themes: standing on my own, longing to create own meaning, altruistic sense of duty towards others with disabilities, challenges specific to me vs. challenges we all face, I am a person with abilities, butterfly\u27s story...our struggles make us stronger, life is a journey, traits that keep me going, patience is a virtue, and it takes a village. These themes demonstrate transitioning goals and values, challenges encountered while transitioning, and attributes of resilience that have aided in mitigating adversity for these emerging adults with disabilities as they are transitioning to adulthood. Collectively, the these represent resilience. Purposeful life, self-reliance, perseverance, equanimity and existential aloneness represent individual attributes; and social support resources represent environmental attributes. The mixed method analysis was comprised of combining the data for meaningful interpretation. Findings from the quantitative analyses were concurrent with the findings from the qualitative analyses. Overall the instrument measures for quantitative variables uphold the prominent themes discovered in the qualitative data. A frequency analysis identified the number of times a particular resilient attribute emerged from the qualitative data. The attribute purposeful life emerged most frequently (f=16), followed by equanimity (f=14), self-resilience (f=11), perseverance (f=9), and existential aloneness (f=6). A cross-tabulation analysis of instrument measures and themes contributed to an enhanced interpretation and understanding of the relationships among the data. Analyses showed that those who contributed to the qualitative theme I am a person with abilities (n=5) scored the highest on mental health (M=54.6) indicating they are emotionally bothered less than most experiencing a less than average disease burden on mental health. Although these participants reported a physical impairment and a more than average disease burden on physical health (M = 44.2), other measures indicate a moderately high resilience level (M = 86.8), a high level of satisfaction with life (M = 28.4), that they are future orientated (M = 3.8), and have social support resources (M = 3.2). Participants who contributed to the qualitative theme altruistic sense of duty towards others with disabilities (n = 4) scored the lowest physical health score (M = 37.2) indicating that they are physically impaired and experiencing much more than average disease burden on physical health. These participants also reported having more than average disease burden on mental health (M= 43), and a slightly below average satisfaction with life (M = 18). However, other measures for these qualitative participants indicate a moderate resilience level (M = 80), that they are future orientated (M = 3.5), and have social support resources (M = 3). A hierarchical categorization of resilience attributes was created to achieve a deeper understanding of the resilient attributes expressed by the participants. This hierarchical categorization demonstrates that resilience for these individuals comes from both within themselves and from their environment. Nurses care for individuals, particularly those with disabilities. They are uniquely present to intervene throughout all stages of the transitioning process. Identifying resilient attributes can play a vital role in facilitating transitions. Nurses can work as moderators, fostering resilient growth and nurturing the process by incorporating intervention strategies that focus on developing resilient attributes both within individuals and in their environment. Knowing which resilient attributes are most effective in facilitating transitioning would be especially useful in the development of preventative holistic patient-centered nursing vi interventions. The research and practice implications of this study may suggest that resilience is a viable concept for the development of strength-based, patient-centered nursing interventions that facilitate transitioning. This study employed a positive psychological approach aimed at identifying resilient attributes in individuals with disabilities who have been identified for their accomplishments and are transitioning to adulthood. Rather than focusing on problems, this study focused on answers. The findings of this study provide a basis for recommending intervention programs on building resilience among emerging adults with disabilities. This exploratory study may lead to suggestions as to how education, policy, practice, and research can be used to fit the needs of emerging adults with disabilities so that they achieve a successful transition to adulthood

Connecting Youth and Communities: Customized Career Planning for Youth with Psychiatric Disabilities

Young people with psychiatric disabilities are significantly overrepresented in the juvenile justice system, tend to be employed sporadically if at all, and frequently have negative connections within and to their communities. Recent research conducted in Montana with youth who have developmental and/or physical disabilities demonstrates the effectiveness of using a customized career planning model to increase linkages to resources and access to community- based employment. Side benefits include improved self-esteem and positive community connections. The customization model holds promise as a way to reduce the risk factors young people with psychiatric disabilitiesf ace and increase the resiliency factors that can assist them to achieve healthy long-term outcomes. The author describes the model as it has been applied in Montana, explores additional considerations when working with youth diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities, provides an example of the model in action, and makes recommendations for further areas of research and inquiry

Connecting Youth and Communities: Customized Career Planning for Youth with Psychiatric Disabilities

Young people with psychiatric disabilities are significantly overrepresented in the juvenile justice system, tend to be employed sporadically if at all, and frequently have negative connections within and to their communities. Recent research conducted in Montana with youth who have developmental and/or physical disabilities demonstrates the effectiveness of using a customized career planning model to increase linkages to resources and access to community- based employment. Side benefits include improved self-esteem and positive community connections. The customization model holds promise as a way to reduce the risk factors young people with psychiatric disabilitiesf ace and increase the resiliency factors that can assist them to achieve healthy long-term outcomes. The author describes the model as it has been applied in Montana, explores additional considerations when working with youth diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities, provides an example of the model in action, and makes recommendations for further areas of research and inquiry

Homeless teens and young adults in New Hampshire

More than 1,000 adolescents and young adults in New Hampshire are homeless, and their numbers are growing. The brief, co-published with the Children\u27s Alliance of New Hampshire, provides an estimate of homeless youth in New Hampshire calculated from and state data and describes the needs of homeless youth based on interviews and a survey of providers of homeless services in the state

Providers' Perspectives and Beliefs Regarding Transition to Adult Care for Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease

Until recently, few children with chronic illnesses such as sickle cell disease (SCD) lived past late adolescence. Substantial reductions in mortality mean a growing number of adolescents with SCD reach adulthood. Consensus among researchers and health care providers (HCP) from multiple disciplines is that critical attention to and more empirical research on the transition from pediatric to adult care is needed. We address the following questions: (1) How do pediatric and adult providers demonstrate involvement in transition? (2) What is expected of adolescents when they move to adult care? and (3) Do providers think there is a need for a systematic transition program? A cross-sectional, multi-format survey research study utilizing open-ended and forced-choice questions was conducted to compare responses between pediatric and adult providers from multiple disciplines. Data were collected from 227 HCP in three waves. Significant bivariate results (p < 0.05) reflected differing opinions regarding transition expectations and program need, especially among female providers, those practicing in urban areas, and providers who treat both adolescent and adult clients in comparison with their counterparts. Discussion includes implications for program development, social service and public health practice, and future research

From Positive Psychology to Positive Development: Overcoming Adversity and Flourishing in Emerging Adulthood

During the past half-century, the transition to adulthood has become increasingly prolonged in virtually all parts of the world. Young people today stay in school longer, marry later, and have their first child later than they did in the past.  Besides, media portrayals of them often seem to emphasize the problems that can be a part of young people. Gang violence, school shootings, alcohol-related accidents, drug abuse, and suicides involving teens are all too frequently reflected in newspaper headlines and movie plots. In the professional literature, too, adolescence is frequently portrayed as a negative stage of life—a period of storm and stress as well as turmoil and trouble to be survived or endured through the period. But with the attention given to negative images of adolescents and youth, however, the positive aspects of their development can be overlooked. As a result, emerging adults are increasingly required to “individualize” their life courses in general and their identities in particular, by taking the initiative to form working and personal relationships, to gain educational credentials and employment experience, and to plan for the future. Those who address these issues in a proactive, resilient and agentic manner may be most likely to form a coherent sense of identity that can be used to guide their life paths and to negotiate for social resources and positions. This article therefore benefits from knowledge of positive psychology to inform positive and productive development for young people in troubled circumstances. While we dig into some of the deprived developmental circumstances in which African emerging adults in particular develop, we also pay attention to how they benefit from positive psychology in order to navigate positive life courses for themselves. Keywords: Positive psychology, Positive development, Adversity, Flourishing, Emerging adulthood. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/46-06 Publication date:March 31st 201