URL:

http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED448897&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&accno=EJ677410&_nfls=false&objectId=0900019b8015bc59

Keywords:

Adopted Children; Adoption; Adoptive Parents; Biological Parents; Empathy; Meetings; Parent Attitudes; Parents; Young Children; Open Adoption; Parent Visitation

Abstract:

Qualitative data were collected during interviews with adoptive parents involved in face-to-face contact arrangement with birth relatives. Ratings of empathy for birth relatives and empathy for adopted child were developed. Findings indicated that empathic, understanding adopters were more likely than others to maintain or increase face-to-face contact arrangements, and to view such contact positively, even in challenging meeting situations.