ADOPTION DISSOLUTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS FROM THE USA WHO ADOPTED CHILDREN INTERNATIONALLY

Abstract

The goal of this qualitative dissertation is to explore why some international adoptions result in dissolution. I attempt to answer this question through the experiences of American parents who adopted children internationally and experienced dissolution of an adoption. The objective of the research is to expand existing knowledge concerning international adoption disruption because the topic is extremely understudied. Factors examined are: aspects contributing to adoption dissolution as described in existing literature; historical perspectives on adoption, including international adoption; effectiveness of adoption services as ways to enhance adoption outcome; proposed methodological approaches for adoption dissolution research; and results of the study. This study presents information to guide future research in the area of international adoption disruption, a greatly understudied topic. The results provide guidelines for adoption specialists working with families wishing to adopt internationally.