Process of adoption communication openness in adoptive families: adopters' perspective

Abstract Communication about adoption is a family interaction process which is more than the simple exchange of information. Adoption communication can be characterized in terms of the level of openness of family conversations regarding the child's past and the degree of the family's adoption social disclosure. The objective of this study is to explore the process of adoption communication openness in Portuguese adoptive families by identifying the impact of variables related to the adoption process, the adoptive parenting and the adoptee. One hundred twenty five parents of children aged 3 to 15, who were adopted on average 4 years ago, participated in this study. Data was collected during home visits using the Parents Adoption Process Interview. A cluster analysis identified three different groups of families according to the level of adoption communication openness within the family and outside. The findings also showed that the process of the adoption communication openness started when parents decided to adopt, developed in parent-child interaction and was susceptible to change under professional intervention. The relevance of training given to prospective adopters and of professional practice based on scientific evidence is highlighted.(AU)

Propriedades psicométricas da Escala de Percepção do Funcionamento Parental – Mãe e Pai / Psychometric properties of the Parental Functioning Perception Scale – Mother and Father / Propriedades psicométricas de la Escala de Percepción del Funcionamiento Parental – Madre y Padre

Este estudo tem como objetivo validar, em uma população portuguesa jovem, a Escala de Percepção de Funcionamento Parental (EPFP) desenvolvida com base na versão espanhola Estilos Educativos Materno y Paterno. Seiscentos e cinco participantes, equitativamente divididos pelos dois sexos, responderam à EPFP. A estrutura fatorial original composta por seis dimensões foi adaptada, com a remoção de alguns itens, tendo apresentado bons índices de ajustamento (análise fatorial confirmatória) e valores de consistência variando entre α=0,81 e 0,95. Apesar de significativamente correlacionadas, verificaram-se diferenças importantes entre as percepções relativas às dimensões do funcionamento materno e paterno. As mães são consideradas mais afetuosas e comunicativas, promotoras da autonomia, confidentes, bem-humoradas e menos controladoras. A EPFP se revelou um instrumento válido e fidedigno na avaliação do funcionamento parental, através da percepção dos filhos...

This study aimed to validate the Parental Functioning Perception Scale – Mother and Father (EPFP), as the Portuguese language version of the Spanish scale Estilos Educativos Materno y Paterno (Maternal and Paternal Educational Styles). A sample of 605 college students participated, equally divided by gender, who responded to the EPFP regarding the two parental figures. The original factorial structure (which was composed of six dimensions, adapted, with some items removed), showed good adjustment indexes (confirmatory factor analysis) and acceptable internal consistency values ranging from α=0.81 to 0.95. Despite being significantly correlated, statistically significant differences were found between the perceptions of the dimensions of maternal and paternal parental functioning. Mothers were considered to be more affectionate, communicative, good-humored and trustworthy, while encouraging autonomy, and less controlling than fathers. The EPFP proved to be a valid and reliable instrument in the assessment of the adolescents’ perception of maternal and paternal parental functioning...

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo validar la Escala de Percepción del Funcionamiento Parental (EPFP) en una populación portuguesa joven, desarrollada a partir de la versión española de Estilos Educativos Materno y Paterno. Participaron en el estudio 605 jóvenes, de los dos sexos, que contestaron a la EFPF para las dos figuras parentales. La estructura factorial original (seis dimensiones) fue adaptada con la retirada de algunos ítems, habiendo presentado buenos índices de ajustamiento (análisis fatorial confirmatória), con apropiados valores de consistencia interna (α=0,81 α=0,95). A pesar de significativamente correlacionadas, se han comprobado diferencias significativas entre las percepciones relativas a las dimensiones del funcionamiento materno y paterno. Las madres fueran consideradas más afectuosas y comunicativas, promotoras de autonomía, confidentes, de buen humor y menos controladoras. La EPFP se mostró un instrumento válido y confiable en la evaluación de la percepción que los adolescentes tienen del funcionamiento parental...