Becoming parents by adoption: a systematic review

Long, Tracey; Jones, Catriona; Jomeen, Julie; Martin, Colin

Abstract

Background
Transition to parenthood (TP) for biological parents has been extensively explored in research, shaping healthcare service provision from pre-conception, birth and beyond. Adoptive parents are in a unique position. Despite growing number of studies on this issue there remains a demonstrable evidence gap about the experiences of adoptive parents. There is an urgent need to bring existing work in this area of TP together and synthesize the key messages for research and practice.

Aims
To identify and summarise papers concerning the experiences of adoptive parents, becoming parents for the first time, in order to inform future research and clinical practice. Methods A systematic review searched CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO.

Findings
The search identified 21 papers and 7 areas of interest.

Conclusion
Similarities exist between new biological and new adoptive parents however new adoptive parents face unique experiences and challenges as a result of becoming parents through adoption, not biology.

Citation

Long, T., Jones, C., Jomeen, J., & Martin, C. (2021). Becoming parents by adoption: a systematic review. Journal of Health Visiting, 9(3), 116–127. https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2021.9.3.116

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 5, 2021
• Publication Date: Mar 18, 2021
• Deposit Date: Mar 25, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 19, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Health Visiting
• Print ISSN: 2050-8719
• Publisher: MA Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 116–127
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2021.9.3.116
• Keywords: New adoptive parents, becoming parents, transition to adoptive parenthood, systematic review
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3739266