Coming to terms with the loss of a child: the feelings of birth parents and grandparents about adoption and post-adoption contact.

Neil, E. C. (2007) Coming to terms with the loss of a child: the feelings of birth parents and grandparents about adoption and post-adoption contact. Adoption Quarterly, 10 (1). pp. 1-23. ISSN 1092-6755

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Abstract

This paper explores the impact of adoption on birth parents and grandparents. Six years post-adoption, interviews were carried out with 72 birth parents or grandparents of a child adopted under the age of four. The sample included child welfare and voluntary adoptions. Qualitative analysis of data focused on the different ways these birth relatives did or did not accept the child's placement for adoption, and three patterns emerged-positive acceptance; resignation; and anger and resistance. Positive acceptance was associated with being a grandparent (as opposed to a parent), and having face-to-face contact with the child after adoption (as opposed to mediated letter contact). Implications for practice are discussed.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	mid:8339 dc:ueastatus:post-print formatted dc:ueahesastaffidentifier:9911170000350
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Social Work
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Business and Local Government Data Research Centre (former - to 2023) Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Research on Children and Families
Depositing User:	Vishal Gautam
Date Deposited:	09 Dec 2010 18:02
Last Modified:	07 Jul 2025 23:41
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/16353
DOI:	10.1300/J145v10n01_01

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