Support programs for the emancipation of care leavers, international models: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35319/ajayu.242387Keywords:
Emancipation programs, care leavers, transition to adulthood, systematic reviewAbstract
Young people leaving care face the transition to adulthood with limited skills, little knowledge of available resources, and no family support, which increases their risk of physical and mental health problems, risky sexual behaviors, substance use, unemployment, homelessness, teenage parenthood, and criminal activity. Given the scarce literature on programs designed to support this transition, this study aims to identify international emancipation support programs and analyze their effects on care leavers. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, through a structured search in Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest; after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies were selected. Results show that the most effective programs are those offering comprehensive, personalized intervention in mental health, employment, education, and housing, with the YVLifeSet model standing out. Studies were strongly concentrated in the United States, showed methodological limitations, and paid little attention to teenage parenthood and risk behaviors. It is concluded that YVLifeSet holds strong potential for adaptation to the Spanish context, provided improvements are made in the least addressed areas.
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