Foreword xi
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xxi
About the Editors xxiii
Contributors xxv
Chapter 1 Setting the Stage: The Adoptive Parent in Context 1Characteristics of Adoptive Parents 2
Serving the Needs of Adoptive Parents 5
History of Adoption 8
Contemporary Controversies 16
Practical Points 20
Conclusions 21
Chapter 2 Theoretical Contributions to the Understanding of Parent-Child Bonding in Adoption 23Before the Family Becomes a Unit: Daniel Stern and Intrapsychic Reorganization 23
The Case of Dora 25
Bowlby and the Importance of Secure Attachment in Healthy Development 26
The Parallel Caregiving System: Contributions of George and Solomon 28
Ego Psychology and the Significance of Adaptation 32
Contributions of D. W. Winnicott 33
Kohut and the Development of Self-Esteem 37
Mentalization: Holding the Adopted Child in Mind 38
Separation-Individuation and the Contributions of Margaret Mahler 41
Practical Points 43
Conclusions 44
Chapter 3 Using Research to Inform Best Practices in Working With Adoptive Families 45The History of Research on Attachment and Parent-Child Interactions 46
Research on Adoption 50
Attachment-Based Interventions for Use in Adoption 56
The Circle of Security 57
Practical Points 59
Conclusion 59
Chapter 4 The Adoptive Mother 61The Eras of Adoptive Motherhood 61
Adolescence 80
Practical Points 84
Conclusion 85
Chapter 5 The Adoptive Father 87Important Role Functions of the Father 87
Becoming and Being an Adoptive Father 92
Practical Points 103
Conclusion 104
Chapter 6 Recognizing Diversity in Adoptive Families 105Identity Variables Within the Addressing Framework 106
Family Structure 125
Practical Points 127
Conclusion 127
Chapter 7 Adoption of Children With Special Health Care Needs 131Three Approach Classes 132
Comparison to Children in the General Population 134
Disruption of Adoption for Children With SHCN 134
Who Are the Families Who Adopt These Children? 135
Commitment 135
Preparation 137
Coping and Stress 140
Existential Issues 142
Posttraumatic Stress 142
Ambiguous Loss 143
Posttraumatic Growth 144
Marital Satisfaction 145
Practical Points 145
Conclusion 147
Chapter 8 Parenting the Young Child 149Ghosts in Adoptive Families 149
Intervention With Adoptive Families: Developmental Guidance, Parent-Child Groups, and Parent-Child Therapy 153
Parenting Cornerstones for Adoptive Families 156
Enhancing the Parent-Child Relationship in Adoptive Families: Developing an Adoption Dialogue 163
Practical Points 168
Conclusion 168
Chapter 9 Adoptive Parenting of Teenagers and Young Adults 169Developmental Themes of Adolescence and Early Adulthood 169
Individuation, Independence, and the Adoptive Parent-Child Relationship 172
Insights for Parents and Therapists 174
Identity Formation in International, Transcultural, and Transracial Adoptees 177
Practical Points 180
Conclusions 180
Chapter 10 Therapeutic Interventions With Adopted Children and Adoptive Parents: A Psychoanalytic Developmental Approach 181Introduction 181
Development of the Human Mind 181
Therapeutic Intervention in a Psychoanalytic Developmental Approach 182
Parent Problems and Child Problems in the Context of a Psychoanalytic Developmental Approach 182
Intergenerational Transmission of the Human Mind-The Missing Link 184
Evaluating the Parent-Child Dyad 185
Practical Points 194
Conclusion 194
Chapter 11 Adoptive Parent as Consultant, Educator, and Advocator 195The Roots of Problems Facing Adoptive Parents 197
Action Implications 200
Practical Points 210
Conclusions 211
Chapter 12 Meeting the Needs of Adoptive Parents: Practice, Training, and Research 213Practice 213
Training 223
Research 228
Practical Points 231
Conclusions 231
References 233
Author Index 271
Subject Index 281
VIRGINIA M. BRABENDER, PhD, diplomate in clinical psychology (ABPP) and APA Fellow, is a professor at the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology at Widener University. She is the past president of the Society for Personality Assessment.APRIL E. FALLON, PhD, is a member of the psychology faculty at Fielding Graduate University and an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine. She has received numerous awards for her teaching of psychiatric medical residents and was awarded the 2012 Psychiatric Educator Award by the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society.
"This book makes a significant contribution to both a greater understanding of adoption and its complex dynamic constellations as well as to serving those who are or come across adoption families, many of whom count on us adoption-informed mental health professionals to clarify and facilitate the challenges they face." ?From the Foreword by Henri Parens, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University, Training & Supervising Analyst, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia "What most people don't know about adoption could fill a book ? and this is the book. Finally sorting myth from science, Working with Adoptive Parents will give therapists, and quite a few nonprofessionals considering adoption, the real story of what it means to make this momentous choice. Better yet, it does so without letting the data speak in place of the parents themselves, in all their fear, doubt, and joy." ?Jesse Green, author of The Velveteen Father: An Unexpected Journey to Parenthood "With adoption, including those that across international boundaries, on the rise, the salutary impact of human kindness as well the tragic potential for developmental complications has greatly increased. Brabender and Fallon, the editors of this well-organized volume, are keenly aware of this. They have cast their net wide and brought together the perspectives of attachment theory, empirical research, and clinical experiences to deepen our understanding of the challenges faced by adoptive parents. Conceptually rich and yet unabashedly pragmatic, their book addresses the issues of parent-child bonding, the subjective dilemmas of adoptive mothers, the role of adoptive fathers, and parenting children with special health care needs. Attention is also given to the specific tasks involving the adoption of very young children as well as to the resurgence of difficulties during adopted children's adolescence. This wide-ranging discourse consistently maintains a tone of respect, concern, and shared humanity of all of us. A most impressive contribution to the adoption literature indeed!" ?Salman Akhtar, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Jefferson Medical College, Training and Supervising Analyst, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia "This book is a tour de force, a must read for all involved in the world of adoption. A comprehensive history of adoption, including current controversies, sets the stage. Every chapter is a gem, but contributions on research to inform best practices, the role of the adoptive father, diversity, and adoption of children with special health care needs, help fill significant gaps in the adoption literature. Rich clinical material and the practical points summarized throughout, demonstrate the wisdom of seasoned practitioners." ?Jennifer Bonovitz, PhD, Supervising and Training Analyst, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia "This volume is a major contribution to our understanding of adoptive parenting. The book is thorough, full of helpful insights, case studies, and perspectives on the complicated dance involved for adoptive parents and their children. The portrait of adoptive parenting is both hopeful and realistic, and is framed with thoughtful attention to what we actually know from careful research. This book should be a helpful guide and resource for both mental health professionals and adoptive parents." ?Sam Osherson, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Fielding Graduate University, Cambridge, MA
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