A qualitative exploration of how adopted children and their parents conceptualise mental health difficulties

A qualitative exploration of how adopted children and their parents conceptualise mental health difficulties

Michelle O'Reilly, Jeanette Bowlay-Williams, Nadzeya Svirydzenka, Panos Vostanis · Adoption & Fostering

Researchers examined adopted children’s understandings of mental health difficulties and services alongside their carers’ accounts. Children and carers sometimes described problems differently, although both described strained family relationships. Their accounts also addressed school, external support and the complexity of coping with adoption-related and everyday family difficulties.

Limitations: Children supplied evidence directly, but carer accounts also contributed and should not be treated as children’s views. The abstract does not report sample size, recruitment region or detailed analytic procedures. Findings do not measure population prevalence or service effectiveness. Publication relationship: this research was published by BAAF or in its Adoption & Fostering journal, now associated with CoramBAAF, an adoption-sector organisation. Publication does not establish that the organisation conducted the research; readers may take the institutional relationship into account.

Research type

Qualitative study

Source reviewed

Abstract

Peer reviewed

Yes

Age group

Children / Adolescents