The mediating role of social climate in the association of youth and residential service characteristics and quality of life

Background: Previous research has shown that social climate (SC) is important for the daily life of youths living in Therapeutic Residential Youth Care (TRC). However, little is known on how SC can promote a positive Quality of Life (QoL) for the heterogenous TRC population. This study therefore investigates how TRC, and youth characteristics are associated with SC and QoL. Method: We employed a combination of person-centered and variable-centered approaches in a cross-sectional design using a sample of 400 Norwegian youths. We used previously established TRC and youth classes in a structural equation model where these classes were regressed on latent SC and QoL. Both direct and indirect effects were analyzed. Results: All youth classes were associated with SC and QoL, such that youth with family problems, incidental/crisis problems, and the migrant background class scored higher on social climate and QoL compared to the severe problems class. In addition, SC mediated the association of the incidental/crisis problems and migrant background classes on QoL. Conclusions: TRC staff should acknowledge that a positive SC can strengthen the QoL of youths with severe problems. Future research should longitudinally investigate these associations in order to establish long-term effects on QoL during stay in TRC.