The adoption of children and adolescents in Latin America faces major challenges that relate to socio-economic, cultural and legal conditions. Within this broad field, adolescent adoption is particularly complex. Many such adolescents have experienced rights violations and violence in their family and care environments, which places significant demands on adoption systems that rely on interdisciplinary work. The objective of this study was to describe and understand factors relevant to the experiences of parents in their relationships with adolescents who joined their family through adoption. Emphasis was placed on factors that, from adults’ perspectives, favoured the development of a positive relationship. This qualitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was based on six cases of adolescent adoption, each explored through focused interviews with adoptive parents. The main results identify the capacity of adults for reflection and flexibility as fundamental to adapting to adoption and responding to adolescents’ needs. The findings also highlight specific features of adolescent adoption in the region that contribute to building accurate information on the topic, help those involved in adolescent adoption to demystify the phenomenon, and inform preparation and professional support strategies.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition and is especially common in care-experienced children. Individuals with FASD often have the additional complication of a history of early life adversity. Providing appropriate support during childhood can improve outcomes, but this can be difficult for caregivers, especially where FASD-informed service provision is lacking. In this study, 12 adoptive families of children with FASD, based in England, took part in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of raising a care-experienced child with FASD. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and without a pre-determined thematic structure. Families described the challenges of parenting children with FASD. Their children were seen as having a range of strengths and difficulties and there were many rewarding aspects of parenting. However, there was a strong feeling that service provision was not adequate, and most professionals did not have appropriate training related to FASD. Professionals tended to use a trauma-informed approach which was sometimes helpful, but which parents felt ought to be used alongside an FASD-informed approach, which was usually missing. The findings of this study suggest that more attention is needed for FASD-informed service provision and support for families in England.
This article explores the stability and impact of birth country and heritage interest among international adoptees from adolescence to adulthood, using data from the English and Romanian Adoptees (ERA) study. While adolescence is often seen as key for ethnic identity development, adulthood may also offer opportunities for reflection and integration. We examined interest in Romania at ages 15 and 23, and its links to earlier neurodevelopmental difficulties, behavioural engagement (e.g., visiting Romania, contact with biological relatives), and adult wellbeing. Four main findings emerged: first, interest in Romania was generally stable – 49% showed persistently low interest, 11% persistently high, 23% increased, and 17% decreased; second, higher interest was linked to visiting Romania and contact with biological relatives, especially mothers and siblings; third, greater interest was associated with fewer childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, but not with other deprivation-related issues or institutional deprivation duration; and fourth, higher interest was associated with fewer emotional problems in adulthood, though not differences in self-esteem or functional outcomes. These findings suggest heritage interest may support mental health in adulthood for some adoptees. Adoption support should encourage heritage engagement and tailor interventions to individual neurodevelopmental profiles, promoting identity exploration across the lifespan.
