Adoptive Placement Research Articles

Post-Adoption Perinatal Grief and Parenting Future Children in the Home: The Moderating Roles of Social Support and Parental Substance Use

SYNOPSIS Objective. The aim of this study was twofold: (a) to examine the impact of birth mother’s post-adoption perinatal grief—stemming from ambiguous loss—on their perceptions of their parenting years later and the relationship quality they have with the children who they raise, and (b) to evaluate the potential contribution that social support and substance use severity play in moderating the impact of post-adoption perinatal grief. Design. We applied an adoption design that consisted of a sample of birth mothers (N = 53) who placed one child for adoption at birth and parented another child in their home following the voluntary adoption placement of the adoptee. At 3–6 months postpartum of the adopted child, we measured birth mother’s post-adoption perinatal grief, substance use severity, and level of social support received by their friends, family, and community. When the birth mother’s child was raising at home reached age 7, birth mothers reported on their relationships with that child, including parent–child conflict, parent–child closeness, parenting satisfaction, and sense of efficacy as a parent. Results. Findings revealed that high post-adoption perinatal grief was associated with increased parent–child conflict. High post-adoption perinatal grief was also associated with low parenting satisfaction, albeit this effect was mitigated in the context of high social support. Conclusions. Findings suggest that grief following adoption may result in effects that are sustained years later, including compromised relationships and low parenting satisfaction with the child they later raise, although social support may mitigate the potential negative effects of post-adoption perinatal grief on parental satisfaction. Future work should examine the mechanisms linking post-adoption perinatal grief with future parenting.

A systematic review examining outcomes of children following permanency placements

Children in care have experienced adversities, including maltreatment prior to contact with the system, negatively impacting on their mental health outcomes. The type of placement and length of time in care are thought to be important and the child welfare system aim is to achieve a permanent decision for children that best supports their needs by establishing a stable familial network. Permanency decisions can include reunification, foster care, kinship care, adoption, and residential placements. This review aims to establish to what extent permanent placement type, maltreatment experienced, length of time in care and age at which permanency is achieved impacts child mental health outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, five databases (ASSIA, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and SocINDEX) and two registers (CENTRAL and TRoPHI) were systematically searched yielding six articles for inclusion in the study. Data were extracted and articles critically appraised utilising the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT). Papers reported mixed findings for permanent placement type and child mental health outcomes with little or no significant overall differences reported. Type of maltreatment experienced moderated the type of mental health symptomology reported. Difficulties in attachment and social relationships were reported for children placed older than two years, although confounding factors such as type of maltreatment likely reduce the strength of the association. Typically, children in permanent placements had better outcomes compared with peers in short-term or unstable placements. A lack of suitable validated and age-appropriate outcome measures and the existence of confounding factors impair our understanding of the interaction between pre-care adversities, the child welfare system itself and permanent placement outcomes.

Associations Between Preadoption Maltreatment and Adoptees’ Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties: The Buffering Role of Mindful Parenting

ObjectivesThe main goal of this study was to explore the association between preadoption maltreatment and postadoption child emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBD), while examining the potential buffering role of adoptive parents’ mindful parenting on this association. The potential moderating role of the child’s current age, of the time passed since the adoptive placement, and of the parents’ sex was also explored within the buffering role of mindful parenting.MethodThis cross-sectional study comprised a sample of 277 parents (76.2% females) with adoptive children aged 2 to 17 years.ResultsExperiencing preadoption maltreatment and more diverse types of maltreatment were associated with higher EBD among adoptees as perceived by the parents. Mindful parenting had a buffering role in the association between preadoption maltreatment and EBD for adoptees up to 8 years of age and an independent direct explanatory role on EBD for adoptees of all other ages.ConclusionsIntervening with adoptive parents through mindful parenting programs seems to be relevant to promote adoptees’ mental health.PreregistrationThis study is not preregistered.

Antidote to Developmental Trauma: A Report on Findings from the “Adoption and Attachment Representations” Study

ABSTRACT This paper is a summary of findings from the “Adoption and Attachment Representations” study which was a collaboration between the Anna Freud Centre, Great Ormond Street, and Coram that focused on the nature and development of parent and child attachment representations in an adoption context. The study began with Adult Attachment Interview assessments of both mothers and fathers who would go on to adopt a group of 58 previously maltreated children aged four to eight years. There was also a comparison group of 42 children, also aged four to eight years but who had been adopted in their infancy. The children were assessed early in their adoptive placement, with the Story Stem Assessment Profile in order to focus on their attachment representations along with a range of cognitive and psychological functioning assessments. The parents were interviewed using the Parent Development Interview to access their attachment representations of their children. These assessments were repeated one year and two years later with subsequent follow-ups in early adolescence and a recently completed phase in the adoptees’ adulthood. The study is unique in exploring aspects of intergenerational patterns of attachment in nonbiologically related parents and children in a longitudinal design. The findings suggest that parental attachment states of mind are associated with their children’s attachment representations and the “intervention” of adoption is powerful with “late placed” children adopting more secure themes in their story stem narratives over time while also retaining some less optimal features such as avoidance and disorganization. The paper makes links with previous developmental and psychoanalytic work in the field of adoption and explores the potential policy implications of the study.

Stronger color evasive racial ideologies predict lower likelihood of open adoption placement with same-sex couples.

Although the adoption rate among same-sex couples has been increasing, limited research has focused on factors influencing decision making related to placing children with such couples, particularly from the standpoint of birth mothers. Additionally, there is a gap in the literature regarding how biases may influence birth mothers' decision to place their child with a same-sex couple. This study sought to examine the association between birth mothers' racial ideologies and their decision to voluntarily place their children with same-sex couples (n = 29) or mother-father couples (n = 354) during the adoption process. Results indicated that birth mothers with stronger color evasive racial attitudes were significantly less likely to place their children with same-sex couples. The need for additional research about the intersections among various forms of bias in the adoption process and the effect of potential interactions between homophobia and racism are discussed. Suggestions for professionals wishing to minimize homophobic and racist bias are provided.

Assessing Foster/Adoptive Parent Training Curriculum's Improvement of Resource Parent Knowledge and Skills

Purpose Caregiving for children in foster, kinship, and adoptive placements (hereon referred to as resource parenting) is a challenging role that requires unique knowledge and skills, but there is limited evidence for currently available trainings. The National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents (NTDC) was recently developed with support from the US Children's Bureau. Methods Baseline and 6-month follow-up surveys from 540 resource parents receiving NTDC training and 409 receiving training-as-usual (propensity score matched; group assignment based on location) were compared on a variety of knowledge types and skills. Results NTDC parents had larger growth in trauma-informed parenting, potential to promote positive child development, and key resource parent knowledge from baseline to post-training. NTDC parent growth in receptivity to working with biological parents approached but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions NTDC offers promise as a new training resource for improving resource parent knowledge and skills.

The Development of the Strengths and Risks Matching Tool for Adoption in the United Kingdom

Identifying the strengths and risks of prospective matches in adoption is crucial to adoption placement stability. With the aim to deliver a consistent and service-led approach to matching children in care with prospective adopters, a tool to identify strengths and risks related to adoption placement was developed. Using a mixed-methods approach, this tool was developed in line with the psychometric theory of test construction, from item generation using semi-structured interviews and survey methods, and exploratory factor analysis to determine the factor structure of the assessment-to-assessment of retest reliability and finalization. Comprising three main components (adopter capabilities and skills, adopter profiles and characteristics, and adoption plans, preparations, and transitions), this tool can be used by practitioners to identify strengths and risks in proposed matches at any point during the linking and matching process.

The adoption paradox: Exploring the role of ethnicity, deprivation, and co-ethnic density in care proceedings in England

The study objectives were to (1) examine the association between children’s ethnicity and final legal orders at the end of family care proceedings (section 31 of the 1989 Children Act), and (2) test whether residential context, such as co-ethnic density and area-level deprivation, moderates this association.
 Two sources of data were used for this study. The first consisted of records routinely generated by Cafcass (England) and stored in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank, and the second was the 2021 England Census. The focus was on children whose initial care proceedings took place between 2015/2016 and 2020/2021 and concluded with a recorded final legal order outcome (N = 98,161). Three-level logistic regression models were employed to estimate the relationship between children's ethnicity and adoption, along with the potential moderating effects of co-ethnic density and area-level deprivation.
 Children's ethnicity is significantly associated with placement for adoption, with white children being more likely to be subject to placement orders compared to children from all other ethnic groups combined (Asian, black, mixed or multiple, and other ethnic groups). Higher local authority co-ethnic density considerably reduces the likelihood of adoption for children of other ethnicities besides white, but not for white children. Moreover, white children living in the most deprived LSOAs are more likely to be placed for adoption than those residing in the least deprived LSOAs. However, the likelihood of placement for adoption remains consistent across all LSOA deprivation quintiles for children from ethnicities other than white. Local authority-level deprivation does not appear to moderate the relationship between children's ethnicity and adoption.
 This study sheds light on the intricate relationship between ethnicity, residential context, and adoption. While previous research has indicated that white children are more likely to be adopted, the findings enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms influencing adoption, paving the way for a more equitable family justice system.

Birth mothers' experiences of support before, during, and after adoptive placement.

Birth mothers, or women who have relinquished parental rights of their child, are an understudied and stigmatized population. Prior literature has suggested that protective factors, such as supports (e.g., practical, emotional, peer, informational), are beneficial for birth mothers. This study qualitatively explored perceptions and experiences of support before, during, and after placement among 51 birth mothers whose children were adopted as infants via private adoption in the United States 8 months to 50 years (M = 15.39 years) from the time of data collection. Thematic analysis revealed six overarching themes: (a) impact of lived circumstances, (b) importance of early adequate support, (c) an emotionally complex process, (d) access to timely information, (e) feeling ready to utilize resources, and (f) coping with ongoing adjustment needs. Prevalence of Themes pre-, during, and postplacement were shared among participants. Time since placement and adoption openness (e.g., contact with adoptive families) were also important factors related to these themes. We discuss implications of these results for policy and practice related to birth mothers' well-being and adjustment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Treatment of Native Youth Requires Incorporating Culture, Recognizing Trauma

Treatment of Native Youth Requires Incorporating Culture, Recognizing Trauma

Explaining Parenting Stress among Adoptive Parents: The Contribution of Mindfulness, Psychological Flexibility, and Self-Compassion.

Although parenting stress has been identified as one of the most important and highly acceptable targets for postadoption psychological intervention, knowledge regarding the modifiable factors that contribute to explaining this outcome among adoptive parents remains scarce. This study aimed to explore whether and to what extent adoptive parents' mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion contribute to explaining parenting stress and to analyze whether this contribution varies according to children's age, time passed since the adoptive placement, and the parents' gender. Cross-sectional data from 302 Portuguese adoptive parents with children between 1 and 17 years old were collected online through self-response questionnaires. Controlling for a wide range of child-, adoption-, and parent-related variables, lower levels of mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion were associated with higher levels of parenting stress. These associations were not moderated by children's age, time passed since the adoptive placement, or the parents' gender. The final regression model explained 50% of the variance in parenting stress. These results allow us to reflect on new guidelines for both preventive and remedial interventions with adoptive parents, given the apparent added value of promoting these psychological resources.

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA): Where we’ve been, where we’re headed, and where we need to go

ABSTRACT This article aims to help child welfare professionals understand connections between the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), Tribal sovereignty, and Native American well-being, and prepare to uphold ICWA in the face of the impending U.S. Supreme Court case. ICWA provisions, intentions, implementation, and impact are described, followed by summaries of prior legal challenges, judicial erosion, and the Haaland v. Brackeen case. The article explores implications if ICWA is overturned, including ramifications of non-preferred foster care and adoption placements and self-determination, health, and socioeconomic repercussions. Advocacy strategies for upholding ICWA are presented to help protect Native children, families, and Tribal Nations.

Health Care and Adoption Service Experiences of People Who Placed Children for Adoption During Adolescence: A Qualitative Study

Study ObjectiveTo understand the perspectives of people who placed children for adoption during adolescence DesignWe conducted qualitative interviews with adults who placed children for adoption during adolescence. We recruited participants through social media and two adoption-related organizations. We audio-recorded and transcribed interviews. Using thematic analysis, 2 investigators coded the transcripts and identified themes. SettingTelephone interviews ParticipantsAdults ages 18-35 years old who placed children for adoption before they were 20 years old InterventionsSemi-structured telephone interviews Main Outcome MeasuresQualitative data ResultsWe conducted interviews with 18 individuals (median age of 32 years; range 21-35 years). The median age at pregnancy was 18 years (range 13-19 years). Seventeen participants identified as female and one as nonbinary. Themes included the following: (1) Negative experiences with counseling included limited empowerment to make choices about pregnancy or adoption options; (2) negative experiences with counseling included limited information about practical or financial support for pregnant adolescents; (3) negative experiences with the health care system included insensitivity or lack of awareness of the adoption plan at delivery; (4) positive experiences with counseling included comprehensive unbiased options counseling and adoption counseling emphasizing birth parent choice in openness and family placement; (5) positive experiences included longitudinal emotional support during pregnancy, particularly in ways that normalized adoption placement; and (6) participants desired therapy and/or psychological support following adoption placement. ConclusionsIndividuals who chose adoption after adolescent pregnancy described positive and negative encounters with health care and adoption professionals that could serve as targets to improve the overall care experience for this population.

Birth relatives' perspectives about same-gender parent adoptive family placements.

Little research exists about the experiences of birth relatives connected to lesbian and gay (LG) parent adoptive families. Using mixed methods, we examined the perspectives of birth relatives and other adoption triad members (adoptive parents, adoptees). First, from interviews with birth relatives (N =62) in the USA, we explored openness to same-gender parent adoptive placements. Next, we conducted a thematic analysis from interviews with a subsample (n=24) whose child was placed with LG adoptive parents about why LG parents were chosen. Finally, eight (of these 24) were connected to seven LG adoptive parent families who were participants in a larger study. Among these adoption triads, we investigated how members described their contact experiences. Results showed that most birth relatives were open to placements with same-gender couples, and those who had done so often made this decision intentionally for various specific reasons. Birth relatives tended to be satisfied with adoptive family contact and desired more in the future. Adoption triad members generally reported warm feelings toward each other and commitments to continued contact. These findings provide insight about diverse conceptualizations of kinship, how contact can be effectively navigated across complex family relationships, and implications for adoption practice and policy.

Parenting in the Context of the Child: Genetic and Social Processes.

The focus on the role of parenting in child development has a long-standing history. When measures of parenting precede changes in child development, researchers typically infer a causal role of parenting practices and attitudes on child development. However, this research is usually conducted with parents raising their own biological offspring. Such research designs cannot account for the effects of genes that are common to parents and children, nor for genetically influenced traits in children that influence how they are parented and how parenting affects them. The aim of this monograph is to provide a clearer view of parenting by synthesizing findings from theEarly Growth and Development Study (EGDS). EGDS is a longitudinal study of adopted children, their birth parents, and their rearing parents studied across infancy and childhood. Families (N = 561) were recruited in the United States through adoption agencies between 2000 and 2010. Data collection began when adoptees were 9 months old (males = 57.2%; White 54.5%, Black 13.2%, Hispanic/Latinx 13.4%, Multiracial 17.8%, other 1.1%). The median child age at adoption placement was 2 days (M = 5.58, SD = 11.32). Adoptive parents were predominantlyin their 30s, White, andcoming from upper-middle- or upper-class backgrounds with high educational attainment (a mode at 4-year college or graduate degree). Mostadoptive parents were heterosexual couples, andweremarried at the beginning of the project. The birth parent sample was more racially and ethnically diverse, but the majority (70%) were White. At the beginning of the study, most birth mothers and fathers were in their 20s, with a mode of educational attainment at high school degree, and few of them were married. We have been following these family members over time, assessing their genetic influences, prenatal environment, rearing environment, and child development. Controlling for effects of genes common to parents and children, we confirmed some previously reported associations between parenting, parent psychopathology, and marital adjustment in relation to child problematic and prosocial behavior. We also observed effects of children's heritable characteristics, characteristics thought to be transmitted from parent to child by genetic means, on their parents and how those effects contributed to subsequent child development. For example, we found that genetically influenced child impulsivity and social withdrawal both elicited harsh parenting, whereas a genetically influenced sunny disposition elicited parental warmth. We found numerous instances of children's genetically influenced characteristics that enhanced positive parental influences on child development or that protected them from harsh parenting. Integrating our findings, we propose a new, genetically informed process model of parenting. We posit that parents implicitly or explicitly detect genetically influenced liabilities and assets in their children. We also suggest future research into factors such as marital adjustment, that favor parents responding with appropriate protection or enhancement. Our findings illustrate a productive use of genetic information in prevention research: helping parents respond effectively to a profile of child strengths and challenges rather than using genetic information simply to identify some children unresponsive to current preventive interventions.

Attachment state of mind and trauma in mother and baby home adoptees

This study has two aims: to explore the experiences and impact of adoption among five adults (three males and two females, all over the age of 55) adopted from mother and baby homes in the UK and Ireland, and to establish each participant’s state of mind (SOM) with regards to attachment using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) (George, Kaplan and Main, 1985–1996). It makes use of all information gained from the AAI by analysing the interview transcripts in two ways: (1) using the AAI scoring system ( Main, Goldwyn and Hesse, 2003 ) to assess SOM; and (2) thematic analysis of the transcripts to produce an inductive set of themes. It was found that all participants had an insecure SOM with regards to attachment. For four out of the five participants, this was unresolved/disorganised, and the category ‘preoccupied’ was the most prevalent underlying three-way classification. Qualitative analysis of transcripts identified four overarching themes: (1) identity and belonging; (2) trauma; (3) ‘silenced’ coping; and (4) adverse parenting which reflected their experiences of adoption. The findings indicate that the participants were highly susceptible to trauma associated with loss. They also highlight the importance of suitable adoption placements and vetting of potential adopters. The clinical and research implications of the results and their contribution to the broader discussion of trauma related to adoption are discussed.

Improving Work–Life Balance for Female Civil Servants in Law Enforcement: An Exploratory Analysis of the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act

In late 2019, Congress passed the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (FEPLA) establishing parental leave for most federal civilian employees. The new law provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave within 12 months after the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child occurring on or after October 1, 2020. Despite its recent enactment, this study draws on survey data from 224 civil servants across 39 federal law enforcement agencies to examine the implications of FEPLA for improving work–life balance in the federal sector. Findings suggest that FEPLA will likely improve work–life balance for female civil servants. However, women may also be afraid to use FEPLA due to perceived loss of future promotional opportunities or other workplace visibilities.

The impact of care-related factors on the language and communication needs of looked after and adopted children/young people

It is established that the development of psychological well-being and cognitive skills for Looked After and Adopted Children/Young People (LAACYP) is impacted by their experiences before and after entry into care. Language and communication skills are typically considered to have a reciprocal relationship with cognitive development, but the language skills of the LAACYP population are currently underspecified. The current study explores the severity and specificity of language and communication difficulty in a LAACYP population and the association between these difficulties and several care-related factors, including mental health and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Fifty-seven children aged 4–16 either in foster care or an adoptive placement were sampled via carer-report, using the Children’s Communication Checklist 2. Forty-two of these children’s mental health needs were also sampled using the Assessment Checklist for Children. The child’s social worker completed information regarding ACEs and care-related factors. Based on UK norms, the performance of 68% of the children sampled was consistent with the lowest 10% of the general population for language and communication ability. Similar levels of severity were found for both structural and pragmatic abilities. Language and communication difficulties were associated with older children, later age of entry into care and placement type (foster care vs. adoption) but not placement disruption. A significant relationship was found between mental health and language difficulty, but no link was established with ACEs. This study highlights the severity and pervasiveness of language and communication impairment among many of the LAACYP population and its association with psychological well-being.

International Adoption: A Review and Update.

1. Judith Kim Eckerle, MD*,† 2. Megan Marie Bresnahan, OTR/L† 3. Maria Kroupina, PhD, LP*,† 4. Dana Ernest Johnson, MD, PhD*,† 5. Cynthia Ruth Howard, MD, MPHTM*,† 1. *Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 2. †MHealth Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, MN * Abbreviations: Ab : : antibody ACE : : adverse childhood experience CDC : : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CXR : : chest radiography IA : : international adoptee TB : : tuberculosis 1. Key information for accurate assessment of the preadoption referral. 2. Determining immunization status and planning catch-up strategy. 3. Updated screening protocol for and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. 4. Evaluation of developmental delays in the context of international adoption. 5. Screening for risk factors indicating the need for referral to child mental health and developmental specialists. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Review the basic components of an adoption referral file and know when to consult an international adoption medicine expert. 2. Perform the initial medical assessment of a newly arrived international adoptee, including evaluation of the efficacy of previous immunizations and planning of catch-up immunization based on new recommendations. 3. Screen for tuberculosis and treat latent tuberculosis infection based on recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. 4. Understand the multiple areas of a developmental baseline of adopted children and assess for catch-up needs. 5. Identify the child with multiple risk factors and/or parental or family stressors who needs a referral to an adoption-competent mental health specialist. Although interest in intercountry adoption continues to be high, the numbers of international adoptions have changed dramatically since the peak in 2004 when 45,483 international adoptees (IAs) were placed in families worldwide. By 2017, the number dropped 79% to 9,387. In the United …

Griglie di repertorio nel counselling con i genitori adottivi candidat

Parental expectations play an important role in the success of adoption or foster placement. We propose a qualitative approach to explore parental expectations based on repertory grid technique with children’s photos as elements. Its main advantage rests on the ability to assess such interrelated aspects of parental expectations as the elaboration of personally important content, the ability to regulate reactions, the presence of stereotypes about adoption, lack of awareness or evasive thinking and specific attitudes towards family members. The article presents rationale, administration and interpretation procedures, the results of an exploratory study of parents from 48 families in order to define preliminary norms for quantitative indexes and a sample of grid analysis to illustrate how the method can be employed in counselling.