03085759211050043.pdf (423.57 kB)
‘Look after me too’: a qualitative exploration of the transition into adoptive motherhood
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 04:00 authored by Charmaine Kohn, Alison PikeAlison Pike, Richard De VisserRichard De VisserThis qualitative retrospective recall study utilised nine in-depth, semi-structured interviews with adoptive mothers involved with an online support group often used by adoptive parents facing difficulties. The aim was to explore their transition to adoptive motherhood. The study was unusual because it covered a lengthy period, from pre-adoption and the motivation to adopt to 12 months post child placement and used Reflexive Thematic Analysis to analyse the data. Findings include the mothers’ sense of misaligned expectation, uncertainty, powerlessness, isolation, and emotional and physical fatigue. The most prominent findings centred on the high level of mental health issues reported by the mothers which included post-adoption depression, anxiety and trauma. New insights are discussed along with implications for future research and practice, along with the limitations of the study.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Adoption and FosteringISSN
0308-5759Publisher
SAGE PublicationsExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
45Page range
300-315Department affiliated with
- Primary Care and Public Health Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2022-06-20First Open Access (FOA) Date
2022-06-20First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2022-06-17Usage metrics
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