How Ecological Systems Impact Black and Latine Youths’ Health During Reentry After Confinement: Implications for Social Work

Reentry after confinement is a critical juncture for youth, and the environmental contexts they return to post-release play a crucial role in shaping their health. This qualitative secondary analysis explores the perspectives of Black and Latine youth and their parents/caregivers on how specific microsystems influence youths’ health during reentry. We completed two-staged thematic analysis of longitudinal semi-structured interviews with recently released Black and Latine youth (n = 27) and their parents/caregivers (n = 34) to examine how the home, school, and neighborhood microsystems impact youths’ health and well-being during community reentry. Participants described three environmental features across the identified microsystems as impacting the health and well-being of youth undergoing reentry: 1) relationships, 2) physical space, and 3) resources. Participant perspectives suggest that social workers can potentially leverage existing strengths within each microsystem to promote the health and desistance of Black and Latine youth during reentry. In addition, participants described health-detracting features within specific microsystems that social workers can aim to remedy to redress health disparities among Black and Latine youth undergoing reentry. Using participants’ insights to optimize youths’ environment for health promotion, desistance, and service utilization may facilitate long-term health and well-being for Black and Latine youth post-release.