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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Hayley AldersonORCiD, Professor Ruth McGovernORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© The Author(s) 2023.Evidence suggests that looked after children and care leavers start to use alcohol earlier than their peers and at higher levels. Much of this epidemiological research focuses upon a pathological vulnerability within the young people concerned, but qualitative research which elicits their experiences with alcohol enables a more nuanced understanding. This article explores the experiences and reflections of young people in care regarding their exposure to and use of alcohol. Twenty qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people who were members of Children in Care Councils (CiCCs) across the North East of England, and a socio-ecological model was used to guide data analysis. The findings suggest that experience prior to being in care, such as witnessing the detrimental effects of alcohol misuse and transitions within the care system, can both precipitate and deter an individual’s use, particularly when entering and living in residential care. The study highlights how a mixture of social and contextual factors influence young people in care’s perceptions and use of alcohol.
Author(s): Alderson H, Lingam R, Brown R, McGovern R
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Adoption and Fostering
Year: 2023
Volume: 47
Issue: 1
Pages: 6-21
Print publication date: 01/03/2023
Online publication date: 24/03/2023
Acceptance date: 02/04/2022
Date deposited: 11/04/2023
ISSN (print): 0308-5759
ISSN (electronic): 1740-469X
Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/03085759231154269
DOI: 10.1177/03085759231154269
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