An investigation of the social adaptations of individuals who stay under state protection until they become adults: The case of Erzincan

Children in need of state protection, defined with in the scope of Child ProtectionAct No. 5395 for various reasons, are hosted in institutions and organizations affiliated with the Ministry of Family, Laborand Social Services until they become adults (age of 18) as long as their return to the family is not approved of. The time frame after leaving the organization begins another life cycle for individuals, and their lives change dramatically from many aspects. This study focuses on the social adaptation of these individuals to their newlifestyles and different living conditions. This study adopts a phenomenological approach. The participants are adults who stayed in different state orphanages in the past, and live in Erzincan province now. The data collection tool is a questionnaire created by the researcher. In the data collection process, semi-structured interview technique was used in face-to-face interviews with people under state protection. Descriptive and content analysis methods were used to analyze the data. The results of the research can be summarized into three groups: (1) the levels of social harmony of the participants regarding the orphanage life, (2) the period until they are employedand (3) their new lives after they are hired by the state. This study defines the various adaptation problems participants experience related to different living conditions after their institutional care, and determines the social support areas about which they receive assistance. The results of the study were discussed in relation to the existent literature, and some suggestions were made. Keywords: Erzincan, institutional care, orphanage, socialadaptation