Adopted Child Research Articles

Социально-перцептивный образ приемного ребенка у замещающих родителей с разной формой опеки

The objective. The purpose of the empirical study presented was the study of social perception and the identification of structurally-substantive features of the mental image of the adopted child in foster parents. Background. The transition to the ubiquitous family arrangement of orphans and the preparation of legislation providing for the adoption of foster parenting as a new profession of a pedagogical profile (“social educator”), as well as the introduction of mandatory psychological testing of foster parents, has revealed the special practical significance and relevance of scientific research related to selection and candidate training. Study design. The work examined the structure of socio-perceptual ideas about the adopted child from adoptive parents, depending on the form of adoption and the number of children adopted by the family for upbringing. The presence of structural relationships and statistical differences was determined using the methods of correlation and comparative analysis. Participants. Foster parents were examined exercising guardianship on the basis of an employment agreement (“social educator”), as well as foster parents who have family ties with adopted children and who exercise guardianship in the form of “blood guardianship” (“blood guardians”). Total 110 people. In the course of data processing and analysis, the entire sample was divided into the following groups: 1. a group of social educators who adopted 1—2 foster children into the family (N=48); 2. a group of social educators who have adopted 3 or more children into the family (N=30); 3. group of “blood guard¬ians” (N=32). Measurements. To identify the structure and content of the perceptual image of the adopted child, a verbal version of the SOCHI technique was used AND V.L. Sitnikova. Results. An analysis of the component profiles of the perceptual image of the “adopted child” in different categories of foster parents showed that they are identical in structure. In the hierarchy of the structure of the image, the leading components are the “Social”, “Activity” and “Behavioral” components. A meaningful analysis of the adoptive child’s perceptual image made it possible to identify structural and semantic units (image components) in the semantic space of adoptive parents that reflect the child’s value attitude to life in a foster family (component “Family Value”) and the presence of bad habits and addictions (component “Bad habits”). This determined the structural specificity of the perceptual image of the “adopted child” in social educators and blood guardians and its difference from the structure of the child’s image in ordinary parents. Intergroup comparative analysis showed that social educators who have adopted 3 or more children into a family more often single out characteristics of a child that are important for interaction in the “child-adult” system; they more often note the attitude of the adopted child towards life in the family, the attitude of the child towards the authority of an adult, as well as the presence of bad habits and addictions in the child. Conclusions. The results were obtained that showed structurally meaningful features of the perceptual image of the adopted child in foster parents with different numbers of children and different forms of guardianship — social educators and blood guardians.

Социально-перцептивные образы как регуляторы детско-родительских отношений в приемных семьях

Objective. Definition of communications of I-images of mothers with He-images of the own children, I-images of the foster mothers with He-images of foster children became the purpose of our research; establishment of communications of I-images of the foster mothers with the child parental relation and interaction. Background. The problem of social and perceptual reflection is current because the number of families with receptions and the sponsored children grows. Quite often adoptive parents aren’t ready to adequate interaction with nonnative children and return them in the system of guardianship, putting to children a severe psychological injury. One of the most important reasons of it is the discrepancy of ideal fixations on need of children for family and real perception of specific children by adoptive parents, rigidity of their attitudes — social installations. In this regard studying mechanisms and regularities of perception of the child in family since how the child is perceived in family, formation of his “Ya-concept”, formation of the personality, the relation with relatives, peers, teachers, with surrounding people directly depends is of particular importance. To minimize emergence of such psychoinjuring situations the in-depth study of mechanisms and regularities of social perception in the replacing families is necessary. Study design. Links between the structures of I-images of mothers and He-images of their native and adoptive children were investigated; links between socio-perceptual images and child-parental attitude (interaction) in foster families. Participants. Sample: 18 women from 29 to 59 years (M=48,05; SD=7,77) with only foster children and 20 women aged 37 to 48 years (M=39,85; SD=3,93) having only their biological children. Measurements. The technique “The structure of the image of a person (hierarchical),” developed by V.L. Sitnikov; two versions of the VRR questionnaire by I.M. Markovskaya, to study the interaction of parents with children and adolescents. Results. I- and He-images are indicators of child-parental relations in foster families. At the replacing mothers the controlling behavior in relation to the child is expressed. And high control can be shown in petty guardianship, persistence, to lead to restrictions and the bans. Conclusions. Reliable connections of socio-perceptual images of members of substitute families and child-parental relations were revealed, proving that these images are indicators of child-parental relations. The images children have similarity on structural characteristics both at foster, and at biological mothers. In representations of the foster mothers when forming an image of the foster child the orientation to the I-concept and ideas of what has to be the child is noted. The foster mothers identify themselves with foster children in the present and the future, more close relations with the foster child seek to establish. In comparison with foster, biological mothers are more open in communication with the children.

Huweliksluiting én aanneming van kinders kragtens kulturele gebruike in stryd met die reg behoort kragteloos te wees – sed, ex Africa semper aliquid novi

Huweliksluiting én aanneming van kinders kragtens kulturele gebruike in stryd met die reg behoort kragteloos te wees – sed, ex Africa semper aliquid novi

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

Reviewed by: Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac Deborah Stevenson Bruchac, Joseph Rez Dogs. Dial, 2021 [192 p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780593326213 $16.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593326237 $9.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 4-7 When COVID lockdown hits, Malian is away from her Boston home staying with her grandparents on the reservation, and what was intended to be a brief visit turns into a longer stay. Spotty internet makes it difficult to keep up with her eighth grade online class, but she's learning plenty from Grampa Roy and Grandma Frances, who tell her stories about Wabanaki history and more recent, more oppressive treatment of Native Americans and Malian's own family. She also makes a friend of Malsum, a rez dog, who wanders freely but has chosen Malian's family, and who becomes her lockdown friend and protector. Bruchac's easygoing free verse creates a thoughtful tempo for Malian's quarantine experience, where the unhurried life with her grandparents seems like a norm that's suddenly become a necessity. It's utterly believable that such a time would occasion storytelling, and the tales are spare and effective, never overbalancing the present-day narrative but effectively enlightening Malian about some past injustices, ranging from forced sterilization of Native women to the removal of Indigenous children for adoption in white families. Malsum is a metaphor as well as a companion for Malian, who sees her family as "three rez dogs in the city," but he's corporeal enough for plenty of pet-loving satisfaction. There will be a lot of stories of life under the pandemic, and Malian's is a low-key, accessible, and strong tale of how being cut off from the outside can emphasize bonds at home. Copyright © 2021 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Abuse after abuse: The recurrent maltreatment of American Indian children in foster care and adoption

BackgroundWhile maltreated children are at risk for recurrent maltreatment, less is known about the maltreatment recurrence of American Indian children in foster and adoptive homes. ObjectiveThis study examined the recurrent maltreatment of American Indian children in foster and adoptive homes, specifically the physical, emotional, sexual, and spiritual abuse subtypes, as well as poly-victimization of American Indian children in comparison to their White peers. Participants and SettingData originated from the Experiences of Adopted and Fostered Individuals Project. The sample (n = 230) consisted of 99 American Indian and 131 White participants who experienced foster care and/or adoption during childhood. MethodChi-square analyses and a t-test were used to test differences in maltreatment recurrence. Ordinary least squares regression analysis was used to examine the factors that contributed to poly-victimization. ResultsBoth American Indian and White participants reported high rates of emotional abuse. American Indian participants were particularly vulnerable to maltreatment recurrence in the forms of physical, sexual, and spiritual abuse, as well as poly-victimization in their foster and adoptive homes. ConclusionsOur findings reflect high rates of maltreatment recurrence in foster care and adoption, which may be the result of retrospective self-report, rather than measures of rereport or substantiated recurrence.

Book review: Creative Therapies for Complex Trauma: Helping Children and Families in Foster Care, Kinship Care or Adoption

Book review: <i>Creative Therapies for Complex Trauma: Helping Children and Families in Foster Care, Kinship Care or Adoption</i>

Patterns of adversity and post-traumatic stress among children adopted from care

BackgroundChildren adopted from care are more likely to have experienced early adversity, but little is known about the impact of early adversity on later post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. ObjectiveTo investigate sub-groups of adversity in a sample of adopted children and examine the association with later PTS symptoms. Participants and settingA study of British children adopted from care using social worker records (N = 374) and questionnaire-based longitudinal study of n = 58 children over 4-years post adoptive placement. MethodsWe used latent class analysis to identify subgroups of children based on commonalities in perinatal and postnatal adversity experienced prior to adoption and examined differences in PTS symptoms at 4-years post-placement between subgroups. ResultsNearly one in five (19 %) children were in the clinical or borderline ranges for symptoms of PTS arousal, 14 % for PTS avoidance and 8 % for PTS intrusion. The 5-class solution fitted the data best, with one class characterized by children with a low probability of experiencing any adversity, one perinatal adversity class and three classes capturing different patterns of adversity. The multiple complex adversity class involving both perinatal and postnatal adversity had significantly higher symptoms of PTS avoidance and arousal than other sub-groups. ConclusionsThe prevalence and complexity of PTS symptoms among adoptive children highlights the need for effective interventions considering different profiles of early adversity.

Adolescents' narratives of coping with unintended pregnancy in Nairobi's informal settlements.

AimThis study explored adolescent experiences and coping strategies for unintended pregnancy in two informal settlements—Viwandani and Korogocho—in Nairobi, Kenya.MethodsForty-nine in-depth-interviews and eight focus group discussions were conducted with male and female adolescents aged 15–19 years from households in two informal settlements. Participants were purposively selected to include adolescents of varying socio-demographic characteristics, including the married and unmarried, and adolescents who had never/ever been pregnant. Data were transcribed, translated verbatim and analyzed thematically.ResultsAdolescents attributed unintended pregnancy to poverty, sexual violence and inconsistent contraceptive use. Lack of parental support and guidance, as well as household conflicts also exposed girls to early sexual debut and risky sexual behavior. Decisions about pregnancy management centered on carrying the pregnancy to term or terminating it. Deciding to terminate a pregnancy was not always straightforward and was motivated by concerns about stigma or shame, and school disruption. Participants reiterated that carrying an unintended pregnancy to term disrupts adolescents’ schooling, with few girls returning to school after childbirth. Upon deciding to carry a pregnancy to term, adolescents used several coping strategies such as relocating from usual residence, hiding until delivery and planning to put up the child for adoption upon delivery.ConclusionsEarly interventions to provide adolescents with comprehensive pregnancy prevention information and to address sexual violence and poverty can prevent unintended pregnancy in adolescents. Efforts to support adolescents to positively cope with unintended pregnancy and facilitate re-entry to school are also warranted.

Child Preparation for Adoption as an Ethical Requirement during Pre-Placement: The PPCA

Child adoption is a highly demanding process for all those involved, including the child, parents, and professionals. Support is needed to maximize the chances of adequate preparation, focusing on not just the parents’ preparedness but also the child’s preparation for adoption. Preparing a child for adoption is an ethical obligation. Assuming that the child is at the center of the adoption process, this paper highlights the importance of acknowledging the child’s specific needs and giving them adequate opportunity to develop into a fully engaged agent throughout the process. This article focuses on the Program for Preparing Children for Adoption (PPCA), a specific manual intervention designed to help professionals prepare children for adoption. The program is based on theoretical concepts of the psychology of adoption, the bioecological development perspective and a narrative psychology approach. First, the PPCA’s theoretical background is presented, followed by each one of its core aspects and specific activities. The article concludes with a summary of this program’s major contributions to child preparation as well as recommendations for future research and practice.

Another Broken System: How the Adoption System in the United States Is Keeping Families Apart

At its best, the adoption system brings families together and gives children a chance at a happy and healthy life; however, as it turns out, like many other systems in the United States, the adoption system is entrenched with systemic racism that may negatively impact a child&amp;rsquo;s life. In this paper, I examine the following questions: In what ways does the adoption process favor one race over the other? Who is imagined as the parent and the child in a transracial adoption? What has the public&amp;rsquo;s response been when the parent is a person of color? I first look at scholarship related to transracial adoptions and the arguments around whether transracial adoptions are beneficial for the children. I discuss some deeply rooted problems in transracial adoptions that may have a long term impact on a child&amp;rsquo;s life. I then outline my research methods, and finally, I discuss the results of my research. Ultimately, I argue that the adoption system, a system that is supposed to bring families together, is unintentionally keeping families apart with its regulations. In addition, I look into how some of the racist undertones in adoption policies have bled into what people imagine a family should look like.

The Perceptions of New Zealand Lawyers and Social Workers About Children Being Adopted by Gay Couples and Lesbian Couples.

Global trends increasingly appear to be legitimizing same-gender relationships, yet international research shows that despite statutory rights to marry—and by extension, adopt children—same-gender couples continue to experience difficulties when trying to adopt. Primary among these barriers are the persistent heteronormative beliefs, which strongly underpin the unfounded myths about parenting abilities of same-gender couples. Such biased beliefs are perpetuated by some adoption professionals who oppose placing children with lesbian or gay couples. In 2013, New Zealand passed the Marriage Equality Act, making it possible for same-gender couples to legally marry—and by extension, adopt. This provided an opportunity to investigate the perceptions of New Zealand professionals about children being placed with same-gender couples, in a country often perceived to be more tolerant of LGBT people. New Zealand social workers and lawyers (an under-studied group)—the professions most likely involved in adoption—were recruited via professional bodies. Because studying perceptions and beliefs on socially sensitive topics are highly susceptible to social desirability, we designed an instrument utilizing multiple methods to assess and corroborate participants’ views about placing children for adoption with couples of the same gender. Administered online and anonymously, the survey included demographic questions, evaluation of negative-meaning and positive-meaning statements, and used a scenario describing a prospective adoptive couple whose gender was ambiguous, in the context of adopting children of varying needs. Overall, the study found that while New Zealand lawyers and social workers (N = 314) had generally favorable views of gay and lesbian adoption, they still reported a preference to see children adopted by heterosexual couples over same-gender couples, within which lesbian and gay couples were preferred equally. Moreover, being religious and politically conservative were characteristics associated with more negative views toward placing children with same-gender couples. We conclude that, despite winning the rights to marry (and adopt as couples), such legislative wins might be merely the first hurdle to be overcome; normalizing same-gender parenting is what needs to happen next. Our study adds to the research focused on adoption professionals in various countries, with the ultimate aim to inform practices and policies supportive of families headed by same-gender couples and formed through adoption.

Socio-psychological criteria for mutual selection of adoptive parents and children deprived of parental care as prognostic signs of the mental health of their future family

Socio-psychological criteria for mutual selection of adoptive parents and children deprived of parental care as prognostic signs of the mental health of their future family

Changing considerations of matching foster carers and children: A scoping review of the research and evidence

Abstract Background and objectives The ‘fit’ or ‘match’ between foster or adoptive children and their carers may be instrumental in determining the outcomes for children and the sustainability of their placement. Understanding components most likely to produce a successful match will assist professionals to support carer families and place children optimally. This Scoping Review investigated research relating to matching children needing care and adult carers. It sought to understand the extent of previous research, note key areas of matching interest and theoretical trends and identify gaps. Method Four databases, ASSIA, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and SocIndex, were searched for references in March 2020. Eligible studies included those that reported explicit or implicit matching elements, children in need of care and systematic data collection and recording. Research quality was not included in eligibility criteria. Results The systematic search returned 2802 results. After removing duplicates, eligibility screening and a close reading, only 31 studies published over a period of 81 years were deemed eligible. These studies demonstrate limited scholarly engagement with the concept of matching and changing foci on matching elements that shift from objective features to subjective features, and then to inter-subjective. Conclusions The area of matching carers and children is under-researched, fragmented and lacks consistent or rigorous theoretical frameworks. An increased understanding of matching would assist practitioners in child placement and support for adoptive and foster parents. This would contribute to the broader issue of placement sustainability and improved outcomes for children.

SophieLewisFull Surrogacy Now: Feminism Against FamilyVerso Books, 2019. 224 p. £14.99

SophieLewisFull Surrogacy Now: Feminism Against FamilyVerso Books, 2019. 224 p. £14.99

Divorce: Gateway to Reduced Child Wellbeing

Divorce is a gateway event that is implicated in most life trajectories that lead to departures from the “nuclear family”, a category defined by the CDC as a married father and mother with their own biological or adoptive children. This review summarizes the research literature documenting consistently lower well-being for children in non-nuclear family situations, including single parents, remarried step-families, cohabiting parents and same-sex partnerships. Children in post-divorce arrangements exhibit poorer health and well-being on almost every indicator examined. Research has focused on three main negative outcomes: poverty, higher rates of emotional and behavioral problems, and reduced educational attainment.

Hukum Waris terhadap Anak Adopsi dalam Perspektif Islam

In practice, in Indonesia children adoption has become a public phenomenon in society and is part of the family law system because it involves individual interests in the family. In the case of adoption, parents need to pay attention to the best interests of the child and be implemented based on local customs, applicable laws and regulations, this has been regulated in Article 39 of the Child Protection Act. Adoption of children is divided into two types, namely adoption of children between Indonesian citizens (domestic adoption) and adoption of Indonesian citizens by foreign citizens (adoption between countries). Appointment of children must be done by legal process, through the establishment or decision of the Court. The research method is normative juridical research. Based on the research results, the inheritance Indonesian citizens rights in the Indonesian inheritance law case are implemented based on Islamic law, adopted children do not inherit from adoptive parents and remain the biological parents. Under customary law, the inheritance of adopted children depends on customary law in the area. By law adoption children do not inherit from adoptive parents, and adopted children remain the heirs of their biological parents.

Palatal Re-Repair With Double-Opposing Z-Plasty in Treatment of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency of Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a common problem after cleft palate repair that is often related to palatal shortening and insufficient levator reconstruction. For VPI correction in our cleft center, palatal re-repair with double-opposing Z-plasty is the standard operation. To assess the efficacy of double-opposing Z-plasty in treatment of VPI after primary surgery for unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). This retrospective analysis comprised 109 consecutive UCLP patients born between 1997 and 2014 with VPI that required re-operation, and were operated on by 2 highvolume cleft surgeons, followed by perceptual and instrumental (Nasometer) evaluation of velopharyngeal competence (VPC). Preoperatively, VPI was severe in 96% (105 of 109) and mild-to-moderate in 4% (4 of 109). Median age at surgery was 5.6 years (range 2.8-21.9). Postoperatively, 84% of patients achieved adequate VPC: 65% (71 of 109) were competent and 19% (21 of 109) borderline competent. Postoperative adequate VPC was 89% (70 of 79) in nonsyndromic Finnish patients, 50% (4 of 8) in syndromic patients, and 82% (18 of 22) in adoption children. Compared to Finnish nonsyndromic patients, patients with syndrome had more residual VPI (P = 0.003), but no statistically significant difference existed for adoption patients (P = 0.251). Complications of the double-opposing Z-plasty included hemorrhage, postoperative mild airway obstruction, and wound-healing problems, each arising in 2 (1.8%) patients. Fourteen (13%) patients needed a second VPI operation. Double-opposing Z-plasty seems to be a good and safe treatment option for VPI in patients with previously repaired UCLP with a success rate of 84%.

Recognising resilience factors among people living with HIV seeking to adopt

This article discusses the challenges faced by people in the adoption process who are living with HIV, looking especially at resilience factors. Resilience is framed in the context of HIV-related infertility that motivates people living with HIV to apply for adoption. The article draws on psychological definitions of resilience and presents four factors that promote and sustain it: individual strengths, good health management, social network and wider recognition in society. This is illustrated by a case study. The study emphasises that ‘the prospective adoptive child’ should always be at the centre of any assessments and encourages social workers to consider sensitive and inclusive practice when assessing prospective adopters living with HIV.

The Building of Epistemic Trust: An Adoptive Family’s Experience of Mentalization-Based Therapy

ABSTRACT Recently, theorists have posited the development of epistemic trust – the trust in others as reliable sources of information – as an essential aspect of the therapeutic relationship and a mechanism of therapeutic change. Epistemic trust is likely to be disrupted in adoptive children and families and Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) aims to explicitly promote its development. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how epistemic mistrust is addressed and how epistemic trust is established within the MBT framework. This single-case, exploratory study reports data from in-depth interviews with one adoptive family, which were analyzed qualitatively using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Two superordinate themes are reported: pre-therapy factors contributing to epistemic mistrust and factors contributing to the development of epistemic trust. The findings highlight two critical elements in establishing epistemic trust: the use of certain clinical skills that help build a secure base within therapy and the possibility of trust being transferred from and to other professionals/systems beyond therapy. Hence, this study informs a deeper understanding of how epistemic trust may be built in therapeutic work with adopted children and identifies possible clinical approaches that may be used by clinicians working with this client group.

The adoption issue: the illegitimate logic of Hand v George

Abstract Article 8 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms guarantees the right to respect for family life and draws no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. This has been interpreted by the English court as meaning that the Adoption Act 1976, which required an adopted child to be treated as a child of the adopter (and not the child of any other person), is discriminatory in failing to apply retrospectively to the construction of an existing instrument such as a will or a trust. But the position of adopted children is different from that of illegitimate children: an illegitimate child has no family other than its natural parents, whereas an adopted child remains the child of its natural parents unless and until the law provides otherwise. The 1976 Act did not “deprive” an adopted child of its rights against the family that adopted it: on the contrary, the Act preserved the child’s rights under pre-existing instruments. There is no infringement of the right to respect for family life in this arrangement—it is simply a question of which family the right attaches to. Furthermore, since a will “speaks from death”, its meaning cannot be changed retrospectively. The decision in Hand v George to “read down” the provisions of the 1976 Act so as to interpret words expressly stating that the Act “does not” apply to an existing instrument as meaning that it “does” apply to an existing instrument was not warranted by anything in the Convention, and exceeded the limits of statutory construction by overriding the clear and express intention of parliament.