The Meaning of “Independent Living” to Young People Experienced Residential Care

All adolescents have to face the developmental tasks in transition to adulthood. As for adolescents in residential care, they not only have to experience the same transitional tasks, but to deal with the task of independence earlier than other adolescents. In Taiwan, where the Chinese culture of autonomy versus dependence has influence on the issue of independence, the meaning of independence to young people experiencing residential care might mean differently. For adolescents experienced placements, such as foster care, residential institutions, or halfway houses, few have received independent living preparation skills. Lack of trainings and resources might make them live in unstable and insecure living situations when they left the care system. In addition, the power and control in the care system might have influence the youth’s imagination of independent living. Most institutions did not involve in their youth in preparing for independent living. Therefore, this study attempts to understand how young people in residential care face the issue of leaving care, how they define the meaning of independent living, and to discuss the appropriate preparation for their independence.
In this study, qualitative research designed was used. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews of 6 adolescents. They were first introduced by social workers of residential institutions, then with the consent of adolescents, personal interviews were conducted. They were between the age of 16 to 20, had been accepting the Independent Living/Leaving Care services. It’s found that to these interviewees, the idea of independent living existed in three types of the resilience diamond; placed at different developmental stages, including: adapt - conciliation – independent; lack of attention to the needs of independent living; and lack of self control right on preparing for independent living. Regarding to the findings, some suggestions were proposed to the residential care system, such as providing opportunities and experiences of independent living to develop the skills required for independence and to provide support and related economic benefits to these young people. Professionals in residential care should work together to help their youth develop independent living skills before they leave the care system.