“It's About Us”: Marital Adjustment and Marital Adaptation in Couples Who Adopt Children From the Child Welfare System

Abstract

This article examines, using grounded theory methodology, the marital relationships of couples who adopted children from the child welfare system. Twenty-two spouses in four focus groups reported initial marital adjustment that featured husbands' support of their wives' initiation of adoption and management of child needs. About one half of these couples also developed time together and mutual influence to achieve a state of marital adaptation characterized by deeper intimate connection. Professionals are encouraged to understand the potential course of development of these marital relationships and to integrate attention to marital development into service throughout the entire adoption process.

KEYWORDS:

• adoption
• child welfare
• marital adaptation
• marital adjustment
• spouses

Acknowledgments

This research was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Children, Youth, and Families; Children's Bureau; Adoption Opportunities; grant 90CO1026, CFDA 93.652, Strengthening Marriages and the Well Being of Children: Post Adoption Marriage Education. Gary R. Anderson is Principal Investigator.