Psychological Functioning Through the First Six Months in Mothers Adopting from China: Special Needs Versus Non–Special Needs

Martin, Nicole; Rosenhauer, Anna M.

doi:10.1080/10926755.2015.1121186

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Ternay, Wilborn and Day, 1985). These studies indicated that mothers with depressive symptoms prior to the adoption were more likely to report stress post-adoption (Abidin, 1990;Beck, 2001;Martin and Rosenhauer, 2015). For the purposes of this study, maternal psychological functioning was not measured.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Those adopting non-special needs children reported negative scores at six weeks post-adoption, but returned to pre-adoption levels by six months. Many families report lower stress and higher positive outcomes in special needs adoptions (Brooks and Barth, 1999;Martin and Rosenhauer, 2015). Child characteristics, such as special needs status, were considered unrelated to reports of stress and marital unhappiness in adoptive families (Martin and Rosenhauer, 2015;Viana and Welsh, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mothers also typically bear a heavier burden of stress with the addition of a new child to the familybiological or adopted (Beckman, 1991;Crnic and Acevedo, 1995;Hawkins, Amato and King, 2006;Judge, 2003). The weeks prior to travelling and the first few months after adoption are filled with many changes and adjustments that may challenge a marriage and mothers experience this period of transition differently from fathers (Belsky and Pensky, 1988;Belsky, Spanier and Rovine, 1983;Hackel and Ruble, 1992;Martin and Rosenhauer, 2015;Miller and Sollie, 1980).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Maternal marital satisfaction during the first six months following international adoption

Martin

Rosenhauer

Greco

2016

Adoption & Fostering

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Maternal marital satisfaction during the first six months following international adoption

Martin

Rosenhauer

Greco

2016

Adoption & Fostering

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“…Martin and Rosenhauer (2016) found that, from pre- to post-placement, mothers adopting children with special needs had more positive adjustment and less depression and anxiety when compared with mothers of children without special needs. Although expectations were not assessed, the authors speculated that these results may be explained by better preparation and more support.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Adopting a child with known special needs is also unique to adoptive parents, and we assert that expectations are part of the decision‐making process and subsequent parenting experience. Martin and Rosenhauer () found that, from pre‐ to post‐placement, mothers adopting children with special needs had more positive adjustment and less depression and anxiety when compared with mothers of children without special needs. Although expectations were not assessed, the authors speculated that these results may be explained by better preparation and more support.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal analyses of adoptive parents’ expectations and depressive symptoms

Foli

Lim

South

2017

Research in Nursing & Health

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Grounded in a theoretical model specific to adoptive parents, we examined the relationship between parental expectations and depressive symptoms across time. Assessments of 129 adoptive parents of 64 children were performed at three time points before and after placement of an adopted child with the family: 4–6 weeks pre-placement and 4–6 weeks and 5–6 months post-placement. Expectations were assessed in four dimensions: expectations of self as parents, of the child, of family and friends, and of society. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale. Associations between parental expectations and depressive symptoms were analyzed, and longitudinal multilevel modeling was conducted to explore influences on expectations over time. Parental expectations changed from pre-to post-placement. With the exception of expectations of self as parent, adoptive parents’ pre-adoption expectations were affirmed in the post-adoption time periods. In each expectation dimension, higher affirmation of expectations was correlated with decreased depressive symptoms before and after placement of a child. While parental expectations are not unique to adoptive parents, the essence and characteristics of certain expectations are unique to these parents. When working with adoptive parents, nurses who care for families should assess expectations both pre-and post-placement with awareness of their relationship to depressive symptoms.

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Parent perspectives on adoption preparation: Findings from the Modern Adoptive Families project

Lee

Kobulsky

Brodzinsky³

et al. 2018

Children and Youth Services Review

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Psychological Functioning Through the First Six Months in Mothers Adopting from China: Special Needs Versus Non–Special Needs

Cited by 5 publications

References 49 publications

Maternal marital satisfaction during the first six months following international adoption

Maternal marital satisfaction during the first six months following international adoption

Longitudinal analyses of adoptive parents’ expectations and depressive symptoms

Parent perspectives on adoption preparation: Findings from the Modern Adoptive Families project

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