Making sense of adoption disruption: an interpretative phenomenological study of the lived experiences of adoptive parents

Parker, Olivia (2023). Making sense of adoption disruption: an interpretative phenomenological study of the lived experiences of adoptive parents. University of Birmingham. Clin.Psy.D.

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Abstract

This thesis is concerned with adoption disruption- the term used to describe the event whereby adopted children move out of the adoptive family home and the authorities are required to find them somewhere else to live. This thesis comprises three chapters. The first is a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the impact of factors associated with adoption disruption. Meta-analyses were conducted for factors that were described in at least four studies, such that eight meta-analyses were conducted using data from the US, UK, Spain, and Portugal.

The second chapter is an empirical study which explores the lived experiences of adoptive parents following adoption disruption, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Interviews were conducted with six adoptive parents who had experienced adoption disruption in England or Wales within the last six years. The narratives provided valuable insight into the sense-making of affected individuals.

Also included are press releases summarising the previous two papers, respectively, in lay terms, suitable for public dissemination.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.

Supervisor(s):