Mental Health and Well-Being-Related Social Support for Care-Experienced Children and Young People: A Scoping Review of Type, Source, and Quality

Trauma Violence Abuse. 2026 Apr 24:15248380261437098. doi: 10.1177/15248380261437098. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Care-experienced children and young people (CYP), for example, those who have been under state care through foster, kinship, or residential placements, or adopted from care, experience disproportionately high levels of mental health difficulties. Yet little is known about the forms of social support that may protect or promote their mental health and well-being (MHW). This scoping review mapped the international evidence on the types, sources, and quality of MHW-related social support for this population. Seven bibliographic databases were systematically searched for English-language, peer-reviewed studies published from 2008 onward in high-income countries. Eligible studies included quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and intervention designs that examined social support for care-experienced CYP aged ≤25. Study selection followed scoping-review methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Data were summarised using descriptive numerical mapping and qualitative thematic synthesis. Young people with lived experience contributed to interpretation and identification of priorities. A total of 246 study reports met the inclusion criteria, representing research from 13 countries, most commonly the United States (60%) and United Kingdom (13%). Emotional support was the most frequently examined type, followed by tangible, esteem, and informational support. Foster carers, birth families, peers, and professionals were the most common sources. High-quality support characterised by trust, empathy, and stability was consistently associated with better MHW, though many relationships were shaped by complexity. Evidence was limited regarding special guardianship and romantic partners. Findings highlight the need for holistic, relationship-centred approaches to promote the MHW of care-experienced young people.

PMID:42027092 | DOI:10.1177/15248380261437098