ADOPTED-CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES - POST-PLACEMENT FAMILY FUNCTIONING

Post-placement mother and family functioning was examined in 87 families who had adopted children with developmental disabilities. Using a semistructured interview and self-report questionnaire methodology, the relationships among 9 predictor and 4 outcome variables were assessed. Although, in general, adoptive mothers expressed high satisfaction with the adoptions, several variables did significantly differentiate outcomes perceived as more and less successful. Specifically, the family's initial reactions to the placement were positively related to adjustment approximately 5 years later, whereas demographic variables such as educational level and family income did not predict outcome. The placements with the best self-reported outcomes were ones in which mothers had few reservations and nondepressed functioning at the beginning of placement, were married, had greater experience with handicapping conditions, and had stronger religious beliefs. These results were discussed with reference to their implications for adoption placement and post-placement interventions and services. © 1991.