Describing the Post-Adoption Mental Health Support Needs of Adoptive Families: Implications for Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Existing occupational therapy literature focuses on sensory and developmental needs for newly adopted children but has not considered the needs of adoptive families from a mental health or contextual perspective. This descriptive needs assessment was conducted using survey design that addressed mental health, disability, medical, and social environmental needs of 127 adoptive families with minor children. Results indicate that mental health concerns among adopted children and adolescents are common and complex, and that parental stress and need for post-adoption support is high. Occupational therapists working with adoptive families should consider family-centered care, assess mental health, and consider contextual factors.

Keywords:

• Adoption
• post-adoption
• occupational therapy
• mental health

Acknowledgements

I thank David H. Scott, PhD, for his expertise and assistance throughout all aspects of the study. I also thank Donnamarie Krause, PhD, OTR/L, and Tracy Becerra-Culqui, PhD, MPH, OT/L, for their editing and feedback during the writing process.

Disclosure statement

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

T

he present research was financially supported by Fuller Adoption Research Fellowship.

Notes on contributors

Sheryl J. Ryan

Sheryl Ryan has worked as an occupational therapist in inpatient acute and neurological rehabilitation, pediatric clinic and school-based practice, and academic education. Her teaching interests include clinical reasoning, qualitative research methodology, design, and implementation, and the doctoral capstone experience. She mentors graduate student research teams through presentations at campus, state, and national conferences and written publications. Her research aims at health promotion among children and families, including under-served youth and adoptive families.