Young mothers in foster care and their children face educational, financial, and social challenges. Maternity group homes (MGHs) offer one intervention to mitigate poor outcomes. Yet, information about the experiences of mothers transitioning from MGHs is limited. Using Kool’s Theory of Adolescent Identity Development, this study examines mothers’ transitions out of MGHs and the role of formal and informal support in helping meet their family’s needs. Mothers with experience living in an MGH (n = 25) participated in telephone interviews describing their experiences in MGHs and transitions to independence. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to understand mothers’ use of formal and informal supports after MGH exit. Analysis revealed that although mothers perceived “doing it alone,” they relied on informal and formal supports. This paradox makes sense in the context of mothers’ lives. Complicated, unpredictable, and friction-laden relationships with family, friends, and acquaintances constitute mothers’ informal supports. Although mothers felt they could count on family, they described periods of homelessness, family violence, and hopelessness. Similarly, formal relationships with child welfare professionals varied and often dissipated without warning. Mothers held mixed views on government assistance although these resources consistently provided critical means for survival. Implications: Consistent with Kool’s theory, study findings suggest mothers lacked supportive relationships and critical resources that shaped identity development. Implications for assisting mothers transitioning include supporting mothers through public assistance benefits before and after MGH exit; universal basic income as they gain independence, and guidance in establishing healthy relationships.

寄养家庭中的年轻母亲及其孩子面临教育、经济和社会挑战。产妇之家 (MGH) 提供一种干预措施来减轻不良后果。然而，有关从 MGH 过渡到母亲的经历的信息却很有限。这项研究利用库尔的青少年身份发展理论，探讨了母亲从 MGH 中出来的转变，以及正式和非正式支持在帮助满足家庭需求方面的作用。有在 MGH 生活经验的母亲 ( n = 25) 参加了电话采访，描述了她们在 MGH 的经历以及向独立过渡的经历。使用主题分析对数据进行分析，以了解母亲在 MGH 退出后使用正式和非正式支持的情况。分析显示，尽管母亲们认为“自己做事”，但她们依赖非正式和正式的支持。这个悖论在母亲的生活背景下是有道理的。与家人、朋友和熟人之间复杂、不可预测且充满摩擦的关系构成了母亲的非正式支持。尽管母亲们认为她们可以依靠家庭，但她们还是描述了无家可归、家庭暴力和绝望的时期。同样，与儿童福利专业人员的正式关系也各不相同，并且常常在没有警告的情况下消失。尽管这些资源始终为生存提供了重要手段，但母亲们对政府援助的看法不一。启示：与库尔的理论一致，研究结果表明母亲缺乏支持性关系和塑造身份发展的关键资源。协助母亲过渡的影响包括在麻省总医院退出之前和之后通过公共援助福利为母亲提供支持；当他们获得独立时普遍获得基本收入，并指导他们建立健康的关系。