Post-adoption support of adoptive families: a descriptive analysis of adoptive families in Germany

Adoptive children and parents might experience high levels of stress and problems that may be challenging for family life and make professional support after an adoption necessary. In the present study, 136 adoptive families were asked about their use of post-adoption support provided by adoption agencies and external services as well as about their unmet needs in post-adoption support. The survey took place on average 5 years after the child was placed in the family. The results show that most of the adoptive parents used services offered by adoption agencies and external services for developmentally delayed children. In contrast, family-related therapy and counselling services were accessed less often and especially when parenting stress was high. Moreover, a substantial proportion of distressed adoptive families did not use clinical services. Thus, competent post-adoption services addressing the needs of adoptive families and the mediating role of adoption agencies have to be strengthened.