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International Adoption: An American Perspective. Victor Groza , Ph. D. Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences 11235 Bellflower Road Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (216) 368‑6682. Immigrant Visas Issued to Orphans. Country of Origin. FAMILY CARE love affection
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International Adoption: An American Perspective Victor Groza , Ph. D. Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences11235 Bellflower RoadCase Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, Ohio 44106(216) 368‑6682
FAMILY CARE love affection structure 1:1 attention individual focus belonging to an extended system of relations stimulation through relationships INSTITUTIONAL CARE acceptance/tolerance distance routine 1:8-35 attention group focus belong/identify to the group stimulation thru programs COMPARISON OF FAMILY FOSTER CARE TO INSTITUTIONAL CARE
Risks to Children from Early Institutionalization • Health • Development • Attachment • Psychosocial (Emotional and Behavioral) Functioning
Outcomes in International Adoption: A strength or pathology perspective • Resilient Rascals • Wounded Wonders • Challenged Children
Lessons Learned for Practice • The most significant predicators of children’s behavior are traumatic pre-adoptive history. • The parent-child relationship is a strong resource with all parents experiencing overall satisfaction with the child on multiple dimensions of the relationship. • Although children adopted domestically and internationally enter their families after experiencing different types of trauma, their behavior is more similar than different--the sources of stress are different but the consequences may be the same. • Many of the services available and used by families who adopt domestically may be appropriate for families who adopt internationally • Encourage families to get early assessment and intervention to help them and their children. • Prepare families for the risks and support families who adopt throughout the adoptive family lifecycle.
Stressors Family System Unrealistic expectations Low flexibility Inadequate support systems Child Subsystem Health/sensory difficulties Attachment problems Learning disabilities Difficulty with coping skills, interpersonal/family living skills & social skills Resources Family System Sufficient, accessible training Skill building to enhance flexibility Support systems interventions Post-adoption support Child Subsystem Comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment Early Intervention Individual Intervention Skill building to enhance coping skills, interpersonal/family living skills & social skills Family foster care before placement Family Systems—Resources and Stressors from the Family and Child
Stressors Adoption Process, family vs. child Lack of pre-adoptive training Incomplete or inaccurate information about children Lack of post-placement support and services Resources Child-centered orientation Focus on strengths Sufficient, accessible pre-adoptive training Better, more comprehensive and accurate information on children at matching Adoption sensitive services and therapies Assist with development and maintenance of informal social supports Family Systems—Resources and Stressors from the Service System