Adoptive parents’ perspective on their relationship with their adopted child : a qualitative exploration

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore that nature of the relationship between adoptive parents and the child from the parents’ perspective. Moreover, this study aims to focus on adoptive parents’ perspective of the relationship development over time. This topic was chosen to provide adoptees with the opportunity to voice their experience which will lead to recommendations elicited from their data for further research. The findings of the study were gathered through a qualitative approach with the use of audio recorded interviews. These interviews consisted of six adoptive parents whose children were adopted at least five years ago, to further maximise the possibility that some development of adoptive parent-child relationship had occurred. Once the interviews were conducted, they were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis to produce them most prominent themes which were highlighted in the data. The major themes which emerged from the data collection are; ‘Challenges along the Journey’, ‘Context for the Development of the Relationship’, ‘Relationships’, ‘Impact of Adoption on Wellbeing’ and ‘Adoptive Parents’ Needs’. One prominent issue which emerged from the interviews is that most adoptive parents expressed the need for more post-adoption services specifically for the parents’ needs. In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of communication, love and trust to create a strong healthy parent-child relationship. Despite, the many challenges which they faced along the journey, all participants stated that they have a strong positive relationship with their child.