Measuring youth connections: A component of relational permanence for foster youth

This article presents the development and preliminary validation of the Youth Connections Scale, a measure of youth connectedness as a component of relational permanence for youth in out-of-home placement. The instrument measures different domains of youth's connectedness, including the number and strength of connections to caring adults and the types of support perceived by youth. Results of a pilot validation study of the instrument, with a sample of 53 adolescents in out-of-home care, indicate good concurrent validity and high test–retest reliability. Child welfare and youth-serving agencies can use this instrument in their efforts to strengthen and measure the connectedness and relational permanence of youth.

► Article outlines the development and testing of a measure of youth connectedness.
► Dimensions include the number, strength and types of supportive connections.
► Instrument shows good concurrent validity of youths' perceived support from adults.
► Instrument shows strong test–retest reliability when piloted with foster youth.