Adoptive parents’ experiences of social support and attitudes towards adoption

The internalisation of stigma by adoptive parents has been related to depressive symptoms and dysfunctional family behaviour. This study investigates stigma internalisation and perception, and their relationships with social support from family, friends and the broader community. The aim is to determine the extent to which adoptive parents feel that societal attitudes are stigmatising and how social support influences stigma. Data were collected using an online survey and semi-structured interviews. Participants (n = 43) reported that the motivation to adopt and the nature of the adoptive family are poorly understood by non-adopters and that the media portrays parents in an unrealistic manner, as either ‘heroes’ or ‘desperate’. Location was found to be significant, with people living in cities perceiving lower stigma than those in towns, suburbs and rural areas. Social support came from an extended ‘family’ made up of close friends, other adopters and religious communities. The findings point to a need for more extensive education on adoption in schools and the media, for increased support services in less urbanised areas and for earlier support for parents adopting from outside their local authority.