‘My friends are like my family’: The positive impact of high-quality friendships on former foster care youth

Abstract

There is evidence to suggest that quality friendships have a positive impact on the people involved. By focusing on the impact that quality friendships have had on former foster care youth, this article contributes to the wider debate on the issue and fills a gap in the literature. Through the communicative methodology, 15 communicative daily life stories were conducted in Spain with young people who had been in alternative care and had successfully managed to reach university. The discussion shows that the support and strength of quality friendships helped them in their quest for a brighter, more successful future.