The transition into adoptive parenthood: Adoption as a process of continued unsafe uncertainty when family scripts collide

Abstract

Our prospective study investigated couples’ expectations of adoptive parenthood and explored how these changed with their actual experience of parenthood. Six heterosexual couples were interviewed just before placement began and 6 months after the children had arrived. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse both sets of interview data. Expectations of adoptive parenthood mostly transformed smoothly into adoption experience for couples, but challenges were experienced when family scripts collided and a continued feeling of unsafe uncertainty then prevailed within these newly formed family systems. Family script collision seemed a particular problem for couples adopting sibling pairs. To further professional practice in working with families over the transition to adoptive parenting, we suggest that professionals keep in mind a framework that includes the following: Internal and external world influences on family members, Intergenerational issues, Family scripts and the Structural challenges of adoption (IIFS).

Transitions of Adoptive Parents: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Analysis

“…We confirm and expand upon findings from other qualitative studies that have examined the transition of adoptive parents (Fontenot, 2007; McKay & Ross, 2010; Tasker & Wood, 2016). Similar to other research findings, adoptive parents described a range of emotions from uncertainty to relief to joy (Fontenot, 2007).…”

“…Tasker and Wood (2016) also noted uncertainty, specifically a sense of unsafe uncertainty, where parents have fears about the future, their decision to adopt, and their approach to parenting their adoptive child. While this uncertainty cannot be avoided due to the nature of adoption and parenthood in general, specific measures to support patients such as adoptive parent support groups and couples counseling may help ameliorate some of these fears.…”

“…Adoptive parents not only have to adapt to the presence of a new child, but they may also have to travel, endure legal battles, invest significant amounts of money, face the possibility that their child may not be relinquished, and potentially encounter stigma regarding adoption (Levy-Shiff, Goldshmidt, & Har-Even, 1991; Foli, South, Lim, & Hebdon, 2012a; Foli, South, Lim, & Hebdon, 2012b; Vandivere, Malm, & Radel, 2009). Adoptive parents may also have experienced previous infertility issues and grieve the loss of a hoped for biological child (Tasker & Wood, 2016). There is also overlap with the stressors that any parent faces: role changes, increased levels of stress, lack of sleep, and even alterations in their intimate partner relationships (Foli et al, 2012a; Foli et al, 2012b).…”

“…Adoptive parents may be parenting sibling groups rather than just one child, which results in potential challenges with pre-existing family dynamics (Tasker & Wood, 2016). Families are faced with creating a new family script, reconciling new and old family relationships (Fontenot, 2007; Tasker & Wood, 2016).…”

“…Families are faced with creating a new family script, reconciling new and old family relationships (Fontenot, 2007; Tasker & Wood, 2016). For those adopting internationally, there may be challenges related to caring for children and adolescents who have been institutionalized (Gunnar, Bruce, & Grotevant, 2000; Loman, Johnson, Quevedo, Lafavor, & Gunnar, 2014; Stellern, Esposito, Mliner, Pears, & Gunnar, 2014; Wiik et al, 2011).…”