Factors Contributing to Parents’ Preparation For Special-Needs Adoption

Abstract

Three hundred and sixty-eight parents shared their perceptions of special-needs adoption preparation. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data to determine and understand what factors contribute to preparation, this study found that 12 child, family, and agency variables were correlated with perceived preparation, and that parents’ perceived level of preparation was predicted by the child’s ability to attach, by the parents’ relationship with the agency, by the duration of the adoption, and by the parents’ ages at the time of adoption. Implications of these findings are discussed, as they relate to supporting parents, children, and families in special-needs adoptive placements.