Study Overview
   This brief highlights findings from a pilot research study that took place at the Seita Scholars Program during early 2016. The purpose of the study was to learn more about perceptions about mental health challenges experienced by college students who have foster care histories. The main research questions explored topics of resiliency, seeking professional support in times of need, and relationships with helping professionals.

To explore the mental health needs of college students from foster care, fifteen undergraduates who had aged out of foster care were interviewed either individually or as part of small focus groups. The average age of these students was 20 years old with the majority being female (80%) and self-identifying with a minority race (74%). The findings capture the words and meaning shared by participants in the interviews and focus groups.