Predictors of relationship satisfaction in adoptive mothers

Abstract

Relationship satisfaction has been widely studied among biological parents; however, concomitant research on adoptive parents is relatively lacking. The current study reports on a survey completed by 251 mothers who had adopted a child in the past 24 months. Participants completed measures of several aspects of the vulnerability–stress–adaptation model of marital satisfaction. Results indicated that satisfaction, as measured by a short form of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS-7), was related to several enduring vulnerabilities, adaptive processes, and stressors. Significant individual predictors of relationship satisfaction included: socioeconomic status, partner support, enthusiasm of partner for being a parent, and feelings of rest. Findings suggest that the relationship satisfaction of adoptive mothers is not affected by infertility or factors related to the adoption process, but rather by aspects of mental health, well-being, and support that are common to the parenting experience.