Victor Groza

The Experiences of Gay Men and Lesbians in Becoming and Being Adoptive Parents

The purpose of this study was to explore the adoption and parenting experiences of lesbian and gay (LG) adoptive parents. Data for the present study are from a larger national cross-sectional survey of LG adoptive parents. Participants were recruited through advertisements placed in metropolitan LG newspapers, Web sites, and organizations across the country that serve LG individuals. This paper presents an analysis of the qualitative data gathered from 182 participants who responded to the following statement and two questions: 1. Write three short statements describing the biggest barriers or challenges that you faced in your efforts to become an LG adoptive parent. 2. What are the three biggest challenges you now face as an LG adoptive parent? 3. What are the three biggest joys you have experienced as an LG adoptive parent? The sample in this study was 54.9% female and 90% White. Thematic analysis was utilized to summarize the nature of the adoption experience from the LG parent perspective. Parents identified LG-specific barriers to becoming adoptive parents including perceived discrimination at all levels of the adoption process. Further, parents report a lack of role models to guide and mentor them. LG challenges included legal fears and struggles as they attempted to finalize both the initial and second-parent adoption. LG joys included being a role model to other parents, unanticipated increased extended family involvement, and unanticipated community support and acceptance.

Institutionalization, Behavior and International Adoption: Predictors of Behavior Problems

Since the mid-1990s, over 10,0000 children have immigrated to the United States annually via international adoption. These children bring to their families unique strengths, as well as the possibility, for some, of physical, emotional and behavioral health risks, and challenges. This article presents predictive models on behavioral health problems for one group of international adoptees from Romania (n = 216). It is a companion piece to an earlier article that described behavior issues and compared the international adoptees to a group of children adopted through the public child welfare system using a cross-sectional approach. This article illustrates that a history of institutionalization had minimal long-term adverse effects on a childs behavioral health. The parent–child relationship was a strong resource for parents at both time periods. However, there was a strong relationship between parental negative reports with the relationship and child behavior problems.

Institutionalization, Behavior, and International Adoption

International adoption represents about 10% of all adoptions in the United States annually. With the fall of communism, increased numbers of children have been adopted from former communist countries. These children bring to their families unique risks and difficulties. This article presents behavioral data on one group of international adoptees from Romania (n = 216), comparing their behavior to normative behavior data and to a sample of domestically adopted children (n = 61). Results suggest that Romanian adoptees have more behavior problems than typical children, although not as severe as children getting mental health services. At the same time, their behavior is similar to domestically adopted children. Implications for policy and practice are reviewed.

Sensory Processing Problems in Post-Institutionalized Children: Implications for Social Work

This article describes problems in sensory integration shown by some institutionalized and post-institutionalized children. The types of problems in sensory integration are discussed as well as contributing factors. Case studies are offered as examples. Implications of these findings for social work are presented.

International adoption and child protection in Guatemala A case of the tail wagging the dog

English Guatemala’s culture and history as well as its role as a major sending country for intercountry adoption are used as a context for discussing how intercountry adoption has influenced and affected the child protection system. A model for child protection development is offered. French La culture et l’histoire du Guatemala, aussi bien que son rôle en tant qu’important pays pourvoyeur d’enfants destinés à l’adoption internationale, sont utilisés comme contexte pour discuter la question de savoir en quoi ces données ont influencé et ont affecté le système de protection de l’enfance. Un modèle pour le développement de la protection de l’enfance est proposé. Spanish La cultura de Guatemala y su historia, así como su papel como el país de mayores envíos para la adopción entre países, es utilizada como contexto para discutir cómo es que ha influido y afectado el sistema de protección infantil. Se propone un modelo para el desarrollo de la protección infantil.

Empowerment in difficulty A critical appraisal of international intervention in child welfare in Romania

This article examines the successes and shortcomings of international intervention in child welfare in Romania, highlighting the importance of an empowerment approach. Implementing such an approach brings its own challenges, and the authors debate the possibilities and potential pitfalls. They identify key principles and essential personal qualities for putting empowerment into practice in situations of economic, political and social difficulty.

Kinship Care and Permanence: Guiding Principles for Policy and Practice

Children have been entering the custody of child welfare agencies at an ever-increasing rate over the past several years. Over 1/2 million children remained in foster care at the end of 2002—about half of whom are over age 9. This article reviews why kinship care is favored, and in part uses lessons learned from the Kinship Adoption Project in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, to discuss barriers and permanence of kinship care, needed shifts in philosophy and policies, and practice strategies to promote permanence in kinship homes. Achieving successful outcomes for children in kinship care requires child welfare policy makers, administrators, and practitioners to make philosophical shifts, policy changes, and practice efforts that support kin caregivers and children.

Parent-Reported Executive Functioning in Postinstitutionalized Children: A Follow-Up Study

This study compared parent-rated executive functioning (EF) in 6- to 18-year-old children adopted from psychosocially depriving institutions to that in children adopted from severely or “globally” depriving institutions. Individual continuity in EF over 2 years was examined in children adopted from psychosocially depriving institutions. There were 471 children adopted from psychosocially depriving Russian institutions that provided adequate physical resources but failed to provide a consistent set of responsive caregivers. There were 111 children adopted in the early 1990s from globally depriving Romanian institutions that were characterized by physical deprivation as well as profound psychosocial neglect. Adoptive parents completed a background questionnaire and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Children adopted from globally depriving institutions had significantly higher levels of EF difficulties than children adopted from psychosocially depriving institutions. For both groups, adoption after 18 months of age was associated with higher levels of EF difficulties. Children adopted from globally depriving institutions had higher levels of EF difficulties than the BRIEF standardization sample at younger ages at adoption. There was moderate to strong continuity in EF difficulties over 2 years in children adopted from psychosocially depriving institutions. These findings suggest that more severe early deprivation may lead to a higher risk of later EF difficulties, which may persist over time.

Romanian adoptees: A cross-national comparison

Two groups of children are described, some adopted out of their country of origin and some adopted in their own country. Utilizing a family systems model adaptable across countries, the impact of institutionalization on later child behavior is examined. Results will assist practitioners to develop a protocol to assess the family and the child at various ages, regardless of country of origin.

Siblings and Out-of-Home Placement: Best Practices

This article is based on research and practice experience from projects and cases in both public child welfare agencies and private adoption agencies. Here, the authors summarize the research on sibling relationships, including a description of sibling relationships in families where children have been abused and neglected. The authors also discuss the barriers in child welfare that can result in the separation of siblings. Finally, they offer best practice solutions that support maintaining sibling relationships throughout temporary and permanent placement. An assessment tool to assist in the decision-making process for the placement of siblings is also included. This tool will help practitioners think systematically about the placement of siblings in order to make the best decisions.