It is often unclear what leads to long term success for young adults that spent time in foster care. In this study we examined individual and systemic factors, including time in foster care, involvement in leadership programs, and health insurance coverage, seeking their impact on flourishing. Drawing on a national sample of 379 young adults that spent time in foster care, the survey examined individual and systemic factors that could increase flourishing in early adulthood. Study results reveal that Transitional Age Youth (TAY) who spent time in foster care experience significantly less flourishing compared to the general population (t = − 12.85, df = 337, p < 0.001). Additionally, sexual and gender minority youth within the foster care system report lower levels of flourishing than their heterosexual peers (t(336) = 13.1, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis indicates that flourishing is negatively impacted by race, with African American TAY experiencing significantly lower flourishing (β = − 0.52, p < 0.01), and by sexual orientation, with sexual minority youth also reporting reduced flourishing (β = − 2.26, p < 0.001). Moreover, the length of time in foster care, particularly for those who spent 16–18 years in care, was associated with decreased flourishing (β = − 1.65, p < 0.01). Health insurance emerged as the only positive factor, significantly enhancing flourishing outcomes (β = 1.41, p < 0.001). This study contributes to a better understanding of disparities for marginalized populations, emphasizing the critical role of access to healthcare services in promoting flourishing among vulnerable young adults.

对于那些在寄养家庭度过一段时间的年轻人来说，什么能够带来长期的成功往往是不清楚的。在这项研究中，我们研究了个人和系统因素，包括寄养时间、参与领导力项目和健康保险覆盖范围，寻找它们对繁荣的影响。该调查以全国 379 名在寄养家庭中度过的年轻人为样本，研究了可能促进成年早期成长的个人和系统因素。研究结果显示，与普通人群相比，接受寄养的过渡年龄青年 (TAY) 的幸福感明显较差 (t = − 12.85，df = 337，p < 0.001)。此外，寄养系统内的性少数和性别少数青少年的成长水平低于异性恋同龄人 (t(336) = 13.1，p < 0.001）。多元回归分析表明，种族的繁荣受到种族的负面影响，非裔美国人 TAY 的繁荣显着较低（β = − 0.52，p < 0.01），而性取向也对繁荣产生负面影响，性少数青年也报告繁荣减少（β = − 2.26） ，p< 0.001)。此外，寄养时间的长短，尤其是那些度过了 16-18 年寄养时间的人，与发育下降相关（β = − 1.65，p < 0.01）。健康保险成为唯一的积极因素，显着提高了繁荣成果（β = 1.41，p < 0.001）。这项研究有助于更好地了解边缘化人群的差异，强调获得医疗保健服务在促进弱势年轻人蓬勃发展方面的关键作用。