Date
12-19-2024
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Walter Thomas
Keywords
Adoptive parents, post-adoption experiences, post-adoption services, adoptive families, Jamaican society and adoption, transcendental phenomenological qualitative study
Disciplines
Counseling | Social Work
Recommended Citation
Ehikhametalor, Omowunmi Omotade, "A Phenomenology of Post-Adoption Experiences of Adoptive Parents" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6397.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6397
Abstract
This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe the post-adoption experiences of adoptive parents in Jamaica. Studies carried out in other jurisdictions are valuable but do not capture the unique experiences of adoptive parents in Jamaica; therefore, this current study sought to fill the research gap. This study's theoretical framework comprises Schlossberg’s transition theory, attachment theory, and parent effectiveness training (PET). Data were collected from a stratified purposive sample of twelve participants using a brief demographic survey, in-depth interviews, and participant journaling. The data were analyzed using Moustakas’ model, and four themes emerged, namely: the inception of adoptive parenthood, the journey of adoptive parenthood, Jamaican society and adoption, and support services for adoptive parents and families. The findings highlight the need for the provision of a variety of post-adoption services for adoptive parents and families, greater insight for mental health practitioners into the unique needs of adoptive families to serve them better, sensitization of the Jamaican Society through public education to increase people’s knowledge of and improve their attitude to adoption as well as address any situation that might result in the stigmatization of adopted children. This study corroborated many findings of existing literature and added to the body of knowledge. Recommendations for future research include focusing on the immediate post-adoption period of up to three years, targeting adoptive parents who adopted older children aged five years and above, exploring post-adoption experiences from the perspective of adopted children who are now adults, and focusing on pre-adoption experiences.
