engleski

Social support of Croatian students with in-care ecperiences

Since there is a high likelihood students with in-care experiences having to overcome their precare and care experiences, risk of poverty and social exclusion, they should be a focus for a social work and educational professional community. The presentation will describe Croatia's child welfare system and youth perspectives of leaving care experiences. Research was completed with 30 students who were approached by e-mail through donor organizations, former alternative care settings and personal contacts. The purpose was to find out how alone they felt, the sufficiency and kind of social support available and their needs for further assistance. One quarter of students found to be quite lonely and only had a few friends from former alternative care, whilst two thirs of students hid their in-care experiences from everyone. Althought most participants had at least one parent alive, the research showed that parents, social workers and caretakers do not have any role in their current lives. Social support was found to be higher for those who kept in contact with other family members. Correlations proved that loneliness is rising and social support significantly lowers as students get older. All these factors can highly diminish their chances of doing well in their degree and receiving help and support when needed. Most students showed interest in enrolling in a professor's mentorship program instead of peer mentorship or online counseling. The presentation will also discuss types of mentoring programs and the need for an available adult who can give concrete help and emotional support.

in-care youth; social support; students

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