Risks of Incarceration: Impact of Social Support Networks during the Transition to Adulthood.

This article examines the relationship between social support networks (SSNs) during adolescence and later incarceration among youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood. Using longitudinal data from the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH) involving 616 participants, the study found that adequate emotional support at age 17 significantly reduced the odds of incarceration by age 21, while the size or source of support networks did not predict incarceration risk. Other factors associated with increased incarceration included male gender, drug use disorder, prior juvenile legal involvement, and a higher number of foster care placements, whereas longer time in extended foster care was protective. The findings highlight the importance of fostering emotional support through child welfare practices, such as placement near existing social ties and trauma-informed interventions, to mitigate legal system involvement during this critical transition period.