Stephen Erich

A Comparative Analysis of Adoptive Family Functioning with Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Parents and Their Children

Abstract The objectives of this comparative study were to examine adoptive family functioning with a sample of gay, lesbian, and heterosexual adoptive parents and their children. The results suggested that parent sexual orientation is not a significant predictor of adoptive family functioning, adopted childs behavior, and parents perceptions of helpfulness from family support networks. Furthermore, a regression analysis suggested the following variables were associated with higher levels of family functioning: adoptive parents who were previously foster parents and children who had more previous placements prior to adoption. Lower family functioning was associated with children adopted through CPS; with children who had mental health diagnoses, learning disorders, or other handicapping conditions; and with children who were in a higher grade in school. The results of this comparative study of adoptive families support the need for more methodologically rigorous research that includes gay and lesbian adoptive parents along with heterosexual parents.

Family Relationships and Their Correlations with Transsexual Well–Being

ABSTRACT A convenience sample of 91 self-identified transsexuals of majority age completed questionnaires that assessed the quality of their family relationships, indices of their well-being (life satisfaction and self-esteem), and demographics. The results indicate mostly favorable family relationships, general satisfaction with their lives, and some potential difficulties in areas related to self-esteem. There were significant relationships between higher perceptions of the quality of ones family relationships and healthier levels of life satisfaction and self-esteem. Implications for practice, education, and research are discussed.

The Impact of Previous Type of Abuse and Sibling Adoption upon Adoptive Families.

OBJECTIVE The paper addresses the impacts of the type of abuse and sibling adoption upon family functioning. The specific objectives are to test the relationships: (1). between an adopted childs previous type of abuse and postadoptive family functioning; (2). between an adopted childs previous type of abuse and the childs postadoptive externalized behavior status; (3). between sibling adoption status and postadoptive family functioning; and (4). between sibling adoption status and the childs postadoptive externalized behavior status. METHOD Data were collected from parents with adopted children, between the ages of 2 and 16, who have special needs status. The convenience sample was drawn primarily from one southern state. RESULTS The results suggest that the childs type of abuse does predict different outcomes in terms of a parents report of postadoptive family functioning but not the adopted childs postadoptive externalized behavior. Sibling adoptions resulted in lower perceptions of family functioning but slightly improved perceptions of the childs postadoptive externalized behavior. CONCLUSION Parents with adopted children who have histories of physical and sexual abuse reported lower family functioning than those parents with adopted children who only have histories of neglect. Parents who adopted sibling groups reported fewer externalized child behavior problems but lower family functioning than those parents who adopted a single child. These results suggest the need for a variety of family supports targeted to family needs as well as to promoting behavioral changes in the children.

Gay and Lesbian Adoptive Families: An Exploratory Study of Family Functioning, Adoptive Child's Behavior, and Familial Support Networks

ABSTRACT Traditional legal and social forces have hindered the adoption of children by gay and lesbian individuals and couples. Using a convenience sample drawn from gay and lesbian support groups and Internet sites, this exploratory study examines adoptive families with gay and lesbian parents in terms of family functioning capabilities, childs behavior, and family support networks. Data were gathered from 47 gay and lesbian parents and 68 of their adopted children. The results suggest that these adoptive families are performing within the healthy ranges established by scales measuring family functioning and adopted childs behavior. Additionally, the results of this study suggest these families have adequate levels of help from their support networks. Finally, those families who adopted siblings and those who adopted older children with a history of abuse reported higher levels of family functioning. The results of this exploratory study, in combination with previous studies of gay and lesbian families, support the practice of adoption by gay and lesbian adults.

Perceptions of Social Support Among Heterosexual and Homosexual Adopters

Social support is a key variable in adoptive family functioning, however, few have addressed this in reference to gay and lesbian adoptive families. Comparison of responses between gay and lesbian adoptees (n = 47) with heterosexual adoptees (n = 25) on a modified version of the Family Support Scale did not indicate differences in overall levels of family support. Differences did exist between the levels of social support in individual categories with heterosexuals relying on my relatives and my own children and gay and lesbians relying on partners and day care centers. Results supported the hypothesis that heterosexual adoptive parents relied more on family, but did not support the hypothesis that gay and lesbian adoptive parents relied more on friends.

An Examination and Comparison of Transsexuals of Color and Their White Counterparts Regarding Personal Well-Being and Support Networks

This study examines and compares the responses of 108 self-identified transsexuals of color and their white counterparts with regard to personal well-being (self-esteem and life satisfaction), the quality of support networks, and the influence of support networks upon well-being (self-esteem and satisfaction). Although transsexuals of color reported lower levels of education, income, and health insurance status, we found no significant differences in level of self-esteem and life satisfaction. Transsexuals of color reported higher levels of support from significant others and friends. The authors discuss these findings in the context of a multi-theoretical framework to explain discrimination based on transsexual status and race/ethnicity status.

Transsexuals of Color: Perceptions of Discrimination Based on Transsexual Status and Race/Ethnicity Status

This exploratory study utilized convenience sampling to gather data from 33 self-identified transsexuals of color. Data were collected regarding their experiences of discrimination based on their transsexual status and their race/ethnicity status as well as their perceptions of personal well-being as measured by self- esteem and life satisfaction. Respondents experienced discrimination based on their transsexual status as more aversive than discrimination based on their race/ethnicity in 13 of 16 social venues. However, discrimination based on race/ethnicity was more often related to indices of well-being. The authors compare and contrast these two manifestations of discrimination in the context of a multi-theoretical framework.

Early and Late Stage Adolescence: Adopted Adolescents’ Attachment to Their Heterosexual and Lesbian/Gay Parents

Data were collected on 154 adoptive families with gay/lesbian and straight adoptive parents (154 parent respondents & one randomly chosen adolescent from each family). This study was designed to examine three research questions: 1) Are there differences in adopted adolescent attachment to parents among early (12–15) and late (16–19) adopted adolescents; 2) are there differences in attachment to adoptive parents during early adolescence and late adolescence by parent sexual orientation; and 3) what are the factors (IVs) that contribute to level of adolescent attachment to adoptive parents (DV). The results indicated that early adolescent attachment to parents was significantly stronger than late adolescent attachment to parents. There were no significant differences in early and late adopted adolescent attachment by parents sexual orientation. A Stepwise Regression Model indicated adolescent life satisfaction and parent satisfaction of the relationship with their adopted child were significant predictors of adopted adolescent attachment to parents among this sample of gay/lesbian and heterosexual adoptive parents. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Evidence-Based Practice or Practice-Based Evidence: What is Happening with MEPA and Current Adoption Practices?:

The Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) and Interethnic Placement Act (IEPA) were passed in an attempt to eliminate race as a barrier to adoption. The purposes of the current research were to discover what child welfare social workers know about MEPA and IEPA, their views about the usefulness of the acts in addressing race issues in adoption, and how these two acts have affected their child placement practices. A randomized nationwide survey of social workers in child welfare had 261 respondents. Respondents seemed knowledgeable about the acts, but they remained uncertain about their intended purpose and lacked knowledge about research on transracial adoption (TRA). The majority of respondents indicated race is a continuing factor in adoptive placements.