Parenting in the “extreme”: an exploration into the psychological wellbeing of long-term adoptive mothers

Objective

The objective of this study was to increase understanding of factors that influence adoptive mothers' psychological and emotional well-being. The aims were to compare mothers' self-reported emotional state 12 months after child placement to the time of the interview and to identify factors that challenge and support maternal mental health.

Background

Mothers who adopt children face unique challenges that put them at a heightened risk of negative mental health. There is a need for better understanding of the influences on their psychological and emotional well-being.

Method

This qualitative study involved nine in-depth semistructured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

The themes offered broad insights, including the consistency of negative mental health across time associated with demands of “extreme parenting,” strains within and across relationships, and deprioritizing self-care. Factors associated with positive mental health included development of love; attachment and sense of family identity; learning, competence, and “therapeutic parenting,” and the ability to “offload.”

Conclusion

The emotional and psychological well-being of mothers who adopt children should be validated and recognized as important to the overall adjustment of adoptive families.

Implications

Adoption agencies should take a proactive approach to addressing the mental health needs of adoptive mothers, providing comprehensive information, ongoing support, and regular assessments.