Adoption revelation and ongoing communication can be problematic in some adoptive families. The authors examine these issues from a cognitive perspective. Case illustrations are presented from an exploratory study of adopted adolescents in residential treatment. A guide for assessing communication problems is presented and interventive methods are suggested for use by adoption workers and other mental health professionals.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BermanL. C., & BufferdR. H. (1986). Family treatment to address loss in adoptive families. Social Casework, 67, 3–11.
2.
BrinichP. (1980). Some potential effects of adoption on self and object representations. In SolnitA.EisslerR.FreudA.KrisM., & NeubauerP. (Eds.), The psychoanalytic study of the child.New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
3.
BrodzinskyD. M. (1987). Adjustment to adoption: A psychosocial perspective. Clinical Psychology Review, 7(1), 25–47.
4.
BrodzinskyD. M.SingerL. M., & BraffA. M. (1984). Children's understanding of adoption. Child Development, 55, 869–878.
5.
ClineF. (April, 1987). Special parenting and therapeutic tricks. Paper presented at the Psychiatric Institute conference, Post Adoptive Placement Services—An Overview: The Need for Specialized Services, Fort Worth, TX.
6.
DiGiulioJ. (1987). Assuming the adoptive parent role. Social Casework, 68, 561–566.
7.
EriksonE. (1963). Childhood and society, 2nd ed.New York: W. W. Norton.
8.
GrotevantH. D.McRoyR. G., & JenkinsV. Y. (1988). Emotionally disturbed, adopted adolescents: Early patterns of family adaptation. Family Process, 27, 439–457.
9.
HartmanA. (1984). Working with adoptive families beyond placement.New York: Child Welfare League of America.
10.
HerbertM. (1984). Causes and treatment of behaviour problems in adoptive children. In BeanP. (Ed.), Adoption: Essays in social policy, law, and sociology.New York: Tavistock.
11.
JenkinsV. Y.GrotevantH. D.McRoyR. G., & PotterL. (1990). The development of emotional disturbance in adopted adolescents: A cluster analysis approach.University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.
12.
KirkH. D. (1964). Shared fate: A theory of adoption and mental health.New York: Free Press.
13.
KirkH. D. (1981). Adoptive kinship: A modern institution in need of reform.Toronto: Butterworth.
14.
McRoyR. G.GrotevantH. D., & ZurcherL. A. (1988). Emotional disturbance in adopted adolescents.New York: Praeger.
15.
MilesM. B., & HubermanA. M. (1984). Qualitative data analysis.Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.
16.
RaynorL. (1980). The adopted child comes of age.London: Allen Publications.
17.
SmallJ. W. (1987). Working with adoptive families. Public Welfare, 45(3), 33–41.
18.
TriseliotisJ. B. (1985). Identity and security in adoption and long-term fostering. Early Child Development and Care, 15, 149–170.
19.
WinklerR. C.BrownD. W.van KeppelM., & BlanchardA. (1988). Clinical practice in adoption.New York: Pergamon Press.
