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An empirical analysis of factors affecting adolescent attachment in adoptive families with homosexual and straight parents

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  • Erich, Stephen
  • Kanenberg, Heather
  • Case, Kim
  • Allen, Theresa
  • Bogdanos, Takis

Abstract

Data were collected on 154 adoptive families with gay/lesbian and straight adoptive parents (154 parent respondents and 210 adolescent respondents). This study was principally interested in factors affecting adolescent attachment including parent sexual orientation, adolescent and parent life satisfaction, and parent level of relationship satisfaction with their adopted child as well as other key parent, child and adoption characteristics. The results suggest that higher level of adopted adolescent attachment to parents is not related to adoptive parent sexual orientation. Adolescent attachment to parents is related to adolescent life satisfaction; parent level of relationship satisfaction with their adopted child, number of placements prior to adoption, and adolescent's current age. Adolescent life satisfaction, like level of attachment is an indicator of youth well-being. This variable was found to have a significant relationship with parent level of relationship satisfaction with their adopted child. The results also indicated parent's level of relationship satisfaction with their adopted child was related to parent life satisfaction. The variable child's age at adoption was found to have significant relationships with parent life satisfaction, parent's level of relationship satisfaction with their adopted child, and number of placements prior to adoption. Implications for policy, practice, education and further research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Erich, Stephen & Kanenberg, Heather & Case, Kim & Allen, Theresa & Bogdanos, Takis, 2009. "An empirical analysis of factors affecting adolescent attachment in adoptive families with homosexual and straight parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 398-404, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:31:y:2009:i:3:p:398-404
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Erich, Stephen & Leung, Patrick, 1998. "Factors contributing to family functioning of adoptive children with special needs: A long term outcome analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(1-2), pages 135-150.
    2. McDonald, Thomas P. & Lieberman, Alice A. & Partridge, Susan & Hornby, Helaine, 1991. "Assessing the role of agency services in reducing adoption disruptions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 13(5-6), pages 425-438.
    3. Leung, Patrick & Erich, Stephen & Kanenberg, Heather, 2005. "A comparison of family functioning in gay/lesbian, heterosexual and special needs adoptions," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(9), pages 1031-1044, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. McWey, Lenore M. & Acock, Alan & Porter, Breanne E., 2010. "The impact of continued contact with biological parents upon the mental health of children in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(10), pages 1338-1345, October.
    2. Marianna Coppola & Giuseppe Masullo, 2020. "Adolescents and socialization to sexuality in same-sex families. Theoretical and methodological challenges," Academicus International Scientific Journal, Entrepreneurship Training Center Albania, issue 21, pages 115-130, January.

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