Working with Adoptive Parents: Research, Theory, and Therapeutic Interventions

321 Pages·2013·2.08 MB·English

by  Virginia M. Brabender

Praise for Working With Adoptive Parents:
Research, Theory, and Therapeutic Interventions
“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 subjec-
tive dilemmas of adoptive mothers, the role of adoptive fathers, and parenting
children with special health care needs. Attention is also given to the specific
tasksinvolvingtheadoptionofveryyoungchildrenaswellastotheresurgence
of difficulties during adopted children’s adolescence. This wide-ranging dis-
course 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 controver-
sies, sets the stage. Every chapter is a gem, but contributions on research to
informbestpractices,theroleoftheadoptivefather,diversity,andadoptionof
childrenwithspecialhealthcareneeds,helpfillsignificantgapsintheadoption
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 par-
enting. The book is thorough, full of helpful insights, case studies, and per-
spectives on the complicated dance involved for adoptive parents and their
children.Theportraitofadoptiveparentingisbothhopefulandrealistic,andis
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

WORKING WITH
ADOPTIVE PARENTS
Research, Theory,
and Therapeutic Interventions
EDITED BY
Virginia M. Brabender
April E. Fallon
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData:
Workingwithadoptiveparents:research,theory,andtherapeuticinterventions/editedbyVirginiaM.
Brabender,AprilE.Fallon.
1onlineresource.
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
DescriptionbasedonprintversionrecordandCIPdataprovidedbypublisher;resourcenotviewed.
ISBN978-1-118-41891-8(ebook)—ISBN978-1-118-41615-0(ebook)
ISBN978-1-118-61169-2(ebook)—ISBN978-1-118-10912-0(pbk.:alk.paper)
1. Adoptiveparents. 2. Parenting. 3. Parentandchild. I. Brabender,Virginia II. Fallon,
April.
HV875
362.734—dc23
2013000371
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Virginia dedicates the book to two of her favorite
adoptive parents, John and Rebecca Brabender,
and to a very loving foster mother, Dona Aida Barrientos.
April dedicates the book to Hafeez and Theo Shaikh,
whose generosity were instrumental in our adoptive process.

Contents
Foreword xi
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xxi
About the Editors xxiii
Contributors xxv
Chapter 1 Setting the Stage: The Adoptive Parent in Context 1
Virginia M. Brabender and April E. Fallon
Characteristics 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 23
April E. Fallon and Barbara L. Goldsmith
Before 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
vii
viii Contents
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 45
Hal S. Shorey, Sanjay R. Nath, and Meridith Carter
The 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 61
Virginia M.Brabender, AmandaSwartz, Mary Winzinger,andApril E. Fallon
The Eras of Adoptive Motherhood 61
Adolescence 80
Practical Points 84
Conclusion 85
Chapter 5 The Adoptive Father 87
Rao Gogineni and April E. Fallon
Important 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 105
Virginia M. Brabender, April E. Fallon, Alicia Padovano, and Phil Rutter
Identity Variables Within the Addressing Framework 106
Family Structure 125
Practical Points 127
Conclusion 127
Chapter 7 Adoption of Children With Special Health
Care Needs 131
S. Ileana Lindstrom, Sonia Voynow, and Bret A. Boyer
Three Approach Classes 132
Comparison to Children in the General Population 134
Contents ix
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 149
Elaine Frank and Denise Rowe
Ghosts 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 169
Joseph White
Developmental 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 181
Theodore Fallon Jr.
Introduction 181
Development of the Human Mind 181