Maternal marital satisfaction during the first six months following international adoption

Abstract

International adoption can be a rewarding way for parents to build a family and many varied factors contribute to a positive adoption outcome. In particular, the period of adjustment just prior to and following an international adoption is a major transition for the adoptive family. Positive outcomes are related to both lower parental stress and higher marital satisfaction of the adoptive parents, and strong marital support is a protective factor ( Mainemer, Gilman and Ames, 1998 ). Examining the marital relationship during this time of transition may bring understanding of the effects of the adoption process on the parents’ marital relationship; identifying characteristics that indicate susceptibility to marital discord and possible areas for intervention increases the chances of a positive adoption outcome. This study examined 49 mothers’ perceptions of marital satisfaction, marital happiness and personal stress in the weeks preceding and the months following an international adoption. Women are often the primary caregivers of the newly adopted child and mothers tend to indicate distress during this period, therefore this investigation focused on the maternal viewpoint. The sample included children who had been designated as special needs in the country of origin as well as others who had not. The findings suggest that marriages with positive perceptions and satisfaction prior to adoption fare best during the early months post-adoption. Older women reported less positive perceptions of their marriages and spouses; therefore, mothers beyond childbearing age may benefit from further support.

Childhood interpersonal trauma and postpartum parenting alliance: The role of mindfulness in couples.

“…While the present study’s results did not vary according to sociodemographic variables, findings indicated that older parents tend to report a lower parenting alliance. This result is consistent with previous work documenting that older age can be associated with lower parental well-being in mothers of an infant (e.g., Martin et al, 2016). Results also showed that fathers with more education and more children reported a lower parenting alliance.…”

The feasibility and effectiveness of a time-limited psychodynamic couple-focused therapy for adoptive parents: preliminary evidence from the Adopting Together project

“…Within the field of adoption, it seems somewhat surprising that the significance of the quality of the adoptive couple relationship has received so little explicit attention when compared to the extensive literature on adoptive parenting. Yet, in terms of positive outcomes for adoption, a supportive couple relationship that expresses their satisfaction with each other is key in helping couples manage the transition to adoptive parenthood and the challenges of raising an adopted child (Martin, Rosenhauer and Greco, 2016; Mooradian, et al., 2011). The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary evidence for effectiveness of the time-limited psychodynamic couple intervention for adoptive couples who were experiencing relationship distress.…”