Social and Emotional Supports During College Years: Associations with Post-college Outcomes Among Alumni of Foster Care

Data from a sample of alumni of foster care college graduates (N = 241) are examined to explore the role that social and emotional supports formed during college play in their post-college experiences, including achieving successful outcomes in employment, income, and perceptions of happiness. Social and emotional supports included having supportive relationships and social activities in college. The findings reveal that the odds of perceiving themselves as happy were greater for respondents who had higher levels of social support while they were in college, and the odds of receiving public assistance were lower for individuals who frequently socialized with other students. These findings suggest that social and emotional supports formed during college may contribute to achieving positive outcomes post-college, as it relates to both financial and emotional well-being.