Psychology

Intimate relationship challenges in early parenthood among lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples adopting via the child welfare system

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Little research has examined the transition to parenthood among couples who adopt through the child welfare system. The current qualitative study of 84 individuals within 42 couples (17 lesbian, 13 gay, and 12 heterosexual), who were placed with a child via foster care 3 months earlier, examined perceived changes in their intimate relationship. Findings indicated that, like heterosexual biological-parent couples, some adoptive parents perceived the loss of their partner's undivided attention as stressful to the relationship. Adoption-specific stressors were also identified, including the need to find state-approved child care to facilitate "couple time" and the legal insecurity of foster-to-adopt placements. Although our findings were similar for heterosexual, lesbian, and gay adoptive parents, same-sex couples cited some additional stressors related to their sexual minority status. Findings have implications for individual, couple, and family practitioners who work with lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adoptive parents, particularly during their transition to parenthood. © 2014 American Psychological Association.

Publication Title

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

Publication Date

2014

Volume

45

Issue

4

First Page

221

Last Page

230

ISSN

0735-7028

DOI

10.1037/a0037443

Keywords

adoption, child welfare, foster care, gay, lesbian, relationship quality

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