International Adoption: An American Perspective Victor Groza, Ph. D. Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences Bellflower Road Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio (216) 368 ‑ 6682

Immigrant Visas Issued to Orphans

Country of Origin

COMPARISON OF FAMILY FOSTER CARE TO INSTITUTIONAL CARE 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

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

Results from 3 Researchers

Service Usage and Needs-1

Service Usage and Needs-2

Service Usage and Needs-3

Service Usage for Families Adopting Internationally

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.

Family Systems—Resources and Stressors from the Family and Child  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 Service System  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