Adoptive parents’ experiences of social support and attitudes towards adoption

Journal article

The internalisation of stigma by adoptive parents has been related to depressive symptoms (Goldberg, Kinkler, and Hines, 2011) and dysfunctional family behaviour (Walsh, 2003). The current study investigated stigma internalisation and perception, and their relationships with social support from family, friends, and the broader community. The goal was to determine the extent to which adoptive parents felt societal attitudes were stigmatising, and how social support influenced stigma. Data were collected using an online survey (n = 43) and semi-structured interviews (n = 7). Participants reported that the motivation to adopt and the nature of the adoptive family are not understood by non-adopters and that the media portrays parents in an unrealistic manner, as either ‘heroes’ or ‘desperate’. Living area was found to predict stigma perception, with people living in cities perceiving lower stigma than people in towns, suburbs, and rural areas. Social support came from an extended ‘family’, made up of close friends, other adopters, and often the religious community. The findings point to a need for more extensive education on adoption in school and regular media; for increased support services in less urbanised areas; and for earlier support for parents adopting from outside their local authority.

Authors: Weistra, S; Luke, N

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Journal: Adoption and Fostering
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 228-241
• Publication date: 2017-04-01
• Acceptance date: 2017-03-07
• DOI: 10.1177/0308575917708702
• EISSN: 1740-469X
• ISSN: 0308-5759
• Keywords: adoption; friends; stigma; social support; family; adoptive parents