What experiences prompted adoptive parents of preadolescents to self-refer for child–parent relationship therapy?

Abstract

Adoptive parents and preadolescent children experience unique relational challenges postadoption. As a developmentally responsive and attachment sensitive approach, child-parent relationship therapy (CPRT) is an established evidence-based mental health intervention for adoptive families. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of adoptive parents of preadolescents which prompted self-referral to CPRT services. Participants were 18 adoptive parents of preadolescents who self-referred for CPRT postadoption. We identified four main themes which characterized parents' experiences which prompted seeking treatment during preadolescence: Adoption experiences, relationship components, parenting considerations, and child factors. Limitations and opportunities for future research are presented within the context of these findings.