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The Remembered Experience of Adoption: Factors Supporting Healthy Adjustment

Gonsalves, Crystal R, Gonsalves
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2110-0647
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1471027058

Abstract Details

2016, Psy. D., Antioch University, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology.
This qualitative research study is designed to explore ideas, customs, and practices related to adoption from the perspective of adult adoptees. While many studies seek to explain the negative impact of adoption, minimal literature exists with regard to a phenomenological exploration of adoption practices that successfully promote healthy adjustment and a sense of resilience and well-being in adopted children. Existing research on adoption has largely been conducted quantitatively, which can fail to capture the personal, lived experience of a positive adoption experience that leads to healthy adjustment. Specifically, little is known about which factors of the adoption experience adoptees perceive as contributing to healthy adjustment and a sense of well-being. The proposed study located themes and patterns that became apparent through narrative inquiry concerning factors in the adoption experience that contributed to adjustment. Narrative research honors the knowledge held in stories that are retrieved from memory (Fry, 2002). By interviewing adults who were adopted as children, it is hoped that their personal stories can augment clinical conceptualizations of adoption and shed light on positive meaning-making experiences in the context of adoption. These conceptualizations will be of use to persons and professionals who work closely with those involved in adoption, including mental health professionals and paraprofessionals working closely with adoptees and their families. This information is of value for those involved in family dependency treatment courts, child welfare services, and other agencies who wish to promote positive experiences for children and families who become involved in the adoption process. The electronic version of the dissertation is accessible at the Ohiolink ETD center http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd.
Steve Kadin, PhD (Committee Chair)
Bella DePaulo, PhD (Committee Member)
Violet Oaklander, PhD (Committee Member)
133 p.
Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Families and Family Life; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Social Psychology
adoption; adopted; attachment; adjustment; resilience; phenomenological; qualitative; biological; adoptive parents; adoption registry; adoption stereotypes; adaptability; age of adoption; disclosure; racial identity; ethnic identity; closed; open adoption

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gonsalves, Gonsalves, C. R. (2016). The Remembered Experience of Adoption: Factors Supporting Healthy Adjustment [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1471027058

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gonsalves, Gonsalves, Crystal. The Remembered Experience of Adoption: Factors Supporting Healthy Adjustment. 2016. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1471027058.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gonsalves, Gonsalves, Crystal. "The Remembered Experience of Adoption: Factors Supporting Healthy Adjustment." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1471027058

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1471027058
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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.