Understanding Adoptive Families

An Integrative Review of Empirical Research and Future Directions for Counseling Psychology

Dados Bibliográficos

ID8913489
AutoresKaren M O’brien (0000-0002-0927-2489, University of Maryland, College Park, autor correspondente), Karen M O'Brien (University of Maryland,), Kathy P Zamostny (University of Maryland)
Ano2003
Volume31
Fascículo6
Páginas679-710
Data de publicação2003-10-16
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoThe Counseling Psychologist (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0011-0000 • E-ISSN: 1552-3861
EditoraSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0011000003258086
OpenAlexW2119495892
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas17
Referências citadas46

Contrary to societal stereotypes about adoption, this integrative review of published empirical research on adoptive families noted several positive and few negative out-comes with regard to satisfaction with the adoption, familial functioning, and parent-child communication. The critical analysis of 38 studies on adoptive families revealed a prevalence of descriptive passive research designs with concomitant concerns regarding sampling and generalizability. However, despite their limitations, the studies form the foundation for future research that, if replicated, provide support for viewing most adoptive families as resilient. To contribute to the empirical literature on adoption, counseling psychologists should base research in theory, study societal and cultural factors affecting adoptive families, improve methodology, and focus on resiliency and successful out-comes for adoptive families

Developmental psychology · Empirical research · Epistemology · Generalizability theory · Child Welfare and Adoption · Family and Disability Support Research · Family Support in Illness · Psychology · Social Psychology