Understanding decision-making processes of prospective adoptive parents: A mixed-methods study

Objective

This study explores prospective adoptive parents' conceptions by testing hypotheses based on a decision-making model proposed by Willis Hepp and colleagues grounded in symbolic interaction.

Background

Multiple factors inform decisions to adopt. However, little is known about the decision-making process as prospective adoptive parents consider this option.

Method

Seventeen prospective adoptive parents were recruited using purposive sampling. An advanced concurrent mixed-methods design was used to integrate findings from semistructured interviews and a survey using the FACES IV to generate more complete conclusions regarding the model.

Results

Ten themes emerged related to prospective parents' conceptions of self and generalized others, including internalization of adoption as part of one's self, referencing families of origin in family formation thinking, and personal histories informing future visions. Pronatal, biological social pressures echo in families of origin that, combined with religious and other social experiences, impact decision-making. Family cohesion, flexibility, and communication vary based on where they fall along a spectrum of decision-making.

Conclusion

Conceptions of self and others inform decision-making, where some choose, and others wait or opt out of, adoptive parenthood.

Implications

It behooves practitioners to differentiate supports for individuals thinking about transition to adoptive parenthood based on their conceptions of self and generalized others.