Social images of youth in residential care: the role of personal contact with care-experienced individuals and empathy

The study investigates the social images of children and youth in residential care settings (RCSs) in Israel, with a focus on the role of personal contact with individuals who have experienced residential care. Conducted among 545 Israeli undergraduate students aged 18–45, the research reveals that approximately 37% of participants have had personal contact with individuals placed in RCSs through life experiences, work, or training. The findings indicate a medium level of negative social images portraying youth in RCSs as sad and troublemakers, alongside a medium level of positive images depicting them as self-competent, and a low to medium level as happy and nurtured. The main findings show that respondents with personal contact with care-experienced individuals tend to hold more positive social images. Empathic concern is identified as a mediator between personal contact with care-experienced individuals and more positive social images of youth in RCSs. The study suggests that fostering personal contact with care-experienced individuals is crucial for developing empathy and promoting positive social images, potentially improving the well-being of children and youth in RCSs. It highlights the need for raising awareness about existing social perceptions and implementing strategies to mitigate negative images for the improvement of youth in RCSs.