Challenges of Child Trauma on Adoptive Families' Social and Emotional System

191 Pages·2015·2.98 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2015
Challenges of Child Trauma on Adoptive Families'
Social and Emotional System
Jacqueline Yvonne Ford
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Jacqueline Ford

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Kristen Beyer, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Tony Hobson, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty
Dr. Barbara Chappell, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2015
Abstract
Challenges of Child Trauma on Adoptive Families’ Social and Emotional System
by
Jacqueline Y. Ford

MS, Walden University, 2010

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Psychology

Walden University
June 2015
Abstract
Adoption-focused psychoeducation is deemed essential in maintaining the permanency of
traumatized children within a new family unit. However, adoptive parents of traumatized
children struggle to find training to address their unique concerns. Guided by the lens of
psychodynamic theory, the purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges faced
by adoptive families of traumatized children. Special focus was placed on the social and
emotional relationships of the adoptive parents of traumatized children, to identify the
realistic expectations towards attachment from the families' perspectives. Fifteen
families were randomly selected to participate in this study from a group of 30 parents
who adopted traumatized children in Arizona. A phenomenological approach was
utilized to gather information from face-to-face and telephone interviews. The data
analysis utilized the horizontalization approach which highlighted significant statements
that were classified into codes. Thematic categories were drawn and summarized. Textual
descriptions evolved from the thematic groups acknowledging their experiences and how
these lived experiences guided their decision to adopt a traumatized child. Verification
techniques, data mining, journaling, clustering, brainstorming, and peer reviews were
used to ensure the quality of data. Emergent themes emphasized the need for adoption-
focused training specific to traumatized children. Further research on this phenomenon
should determine the significance of specialized psychoeducational training versus
general foster care training, before and after adoption. Positive social change may result
in tailoring existing training programs to meet the needs of families who adopt
traumatized children.
Challenges of Child Trauma on Adoptive Families’ Social and Emotional System
by
Jacqueline Y. Ford

MS, Walden University, 2010

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Psychology

Walden University
June 2015
Dedication
In loving memory of Amie C. Ford, my mom, who inspired me to pursue the
dream of obtaining my PhD, and to James K. Ford, Sr., my dad, who reminded me to
keep the faith while running this race. Dad, thank you for staying around to see me obtain
this degree. You will never understand how important it was for me to have you here for
this. Loving you, with all of my heart, Jacqueline.
Acknowledgments
It is indeed a great honor and privilege to thank many people for their inspiration,
support, patience, and contribution in helping me to reach this level in my academic
career. Yet, I must first stop and give honor and glory to God, my Heavenly Father, who
has called me for such a time as this. I do not feel worthy of such a call, but I am grateful
that He has allowed me to be His hands and feet in being a catalyst for social change
towards this population of people. I am sincerely grateful.
Next, to all of the foster parents, kinship placements, and adoptive parents who
decided to take on the rewarding challenge of providing a traumatized child a chance at a
new life, in a new environment where the risk of trauma recurring is reduced. And to all
of the adopted children who have experienced childhood trauma and have learned to trust
again, your strength and experiences are there to help another child in overcoming their
past and achieve new life within their new families.
To my four adopted children, Ariana, Mireya, Gabriel, and Joelle, thank you for
teaching me life’s lessons of what it means to raise and stand beside an individual who
has experienced childhood trauma. Before you entered my life, things were “normal”.
After going through the roller coaster ride of life with all of you, I have gained the
necessary knowledge to help teach other adoptive parents how to help their adopted
children to maintain permanency while being members of a supportive network.
To Amie and Joshua, my darling children, thank you for being so patient with me. You
opened our home to your adopted siblings and you shared your family and life with them.
No, it has not always been easy, but thank you. You both have been there for me,
encouraging me and praying for this day to come. I love you two so much.
To my colleagues, teachers, supervisors, and friends -- thank you for your
encouragement. To Dr. Beyer, my Chair, and Dr. Hobson, my Committee Member,
thank you for believing in me and the work that I am striving to do. Well, Dr. Beyer I
guess you can say no more erased emails to resend or questioning if those are tears of joy
she is crying or what. Tina Smith, thank you for prayers and proof reading my
prospectus, and countless weekends of caring for my younger two while I was either
away at conferences or while writing this dissertation. I love you sis! And Traci Grabb,
thank you for all of your encouragement, proof reading and keeping me on track when I
wanted to give up. Thanks! Last but not the least, to Dr. Marion A. Baker and Brittany
Canfield, the journey to receiving this degree would not have been the same without the
two of you. Marion, I have learned so much from you. You are such an awesome person.
You are my mentor. My internship supervisor. But most of all, I am glad to call you my
friend. I owe you so much. I hope that I’ll continue making you proud. Brittney, thank
you for the constant push, encouragement, and for believing in me. Thank you for all the
proof reading and cross checking of my work. You both helped me keep the work
validated. I love and appreciate you all.
Table of Contents
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Introduction ....................................................................................................................1
Background ....................................................................................................................2
Statement of the Problem ...............................................................................................7
Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................8
Research Questions ........................................................................................................9
Theoretical Foundations.................................................................................................9
Importance of the Study ...............................................................................................13
Scope of the Study .......................................................................................................15
Definition of Terms......................................................................................................16
Delimitations and Limitations ......................................................................................17
Summary ......................................................................................................................18
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................19
Introduction ..................................................................................................................19
Challenges in Attachment ............................................................................................22
Review of the Literature ..............................................................................................25
Challenges of Well-informed Decisions ............................................................... 25
Challenge of Placement versus Permanency ........................................................ 31
Challenges in Understanding Endured Trauma .................................................... 34
Summary ......................................................................................................................36
i
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................40
Introduction ..................................................................................................................40
Research Questions ......................................................................................................41
Overviews and Principles of Phenomenological Method ............................................42
Application to Adoptive Families ................................................................................44
Multiple Embedded and Rhetorical Structures ............................................................47
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................47
Ethical Procedures .......................................................................................................48
Data Collection Techniques .........................................................................................50
Verification of Trustworthiness/Authenticity ....................................................... 51
Bracketing ............................................................................................................. 53
Application to Adoptive Families ……………………………………………….…..55

Types of Potential Tools ..............................................................................................54
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................54
Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................56
Introduction ..................................................................................................................56
Problem Statement .......................................................................................................56
Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................57
Introduction to Recruitment Process ............................................................................57
Recruiting and Identifying Agency Involvement ................................................. 58
Qualifying for the Study ..............................................................................................60
Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children ........................................................60
ii