Addressing Sexual Health Among Youth in Foster Care Group Homes: A Community-Engaged Grounded Theory Study

Sexuality Research and Social Policy, January 2021

Elizabeth M. Aparicio, Olivia N. Kachingwe, John P. Salerno, Melanie Geddings-Hayes, and Bradley O. Boekeloo

Suggested Citation
Aparicio, E. M., Kachingwe, O. N., Salerno, J. P., Geddings-Hayes, M., & Boekeloo, B. O. (2021). Addressing Sexual Health Among Youth in Foster Care Group Homes: A Community-Engaged Grounded Theory Study. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 1-12. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13178-020-00519-w

Conclusions
The study model offers new pathways for comprehensively addressing sexual health and well-being in this specialized population, grounded in foster youth and staff members’ direct, lived experiences. This conceptualization expands current intervention options beyond pregnancy/STI education programs alone to a holistic, multilevel focus on the interrelated need for trauma-informed family planning and contraception care, mental health and substance use care, sexual and emotional safety, and healthy relationships.