Adoption Near and Far: A Comparison of American, Romanian
and Indian Domestic Adoptions
Victor Groza , Ph. D.Professor of Social Work
Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences11235 Bellflower Road
Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, Ohio 44106
(216) 368‑6682
Key Learning Objectives: To provide participants with the necessary
background for understanding adoption practice in other countries
To learn about family and child policy and adoption policy and practice in Romania and
India, contrasting their system with the American system
To understand the logistics and issues that emerge in conducting adoption research in
other countries
Year of Study by Country
United States, 1990-1994 Romania, 1999 India, 2001
Methods—Issues to Consider
Sample– Clinic vs. Community– Random vs. Convenience– Comparison Group
Approach– Single method (quantitative or qualitative) vs. mixed
methods– Surveys (In home, in office or via mail)– Observational approaches– Case Studies
Measures—Issues to Consider
What we choose to measure should be informed by theory
We need to balance assessing problems with assessing strengths
Measures—Instruments used in various countries
India Romania America
Child Behavior Checklist X X X
Behavior & Emotional Rating Scale (Strengths)
X X
Parenting Scale X
Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES)
X
Questionnaire items (including placement history, parent-child relationships, handicaps, educational functioning, service use and needs)—individual items are also project specific
X X X
Lessons Learned about Research
Involve parents in study design Involve parents in reviewing results Deconstruct major trends to look for
nuances Draw from multiple perspective including
behavioral genetics, child development, psychology and social work
Across countries—lessons learned about research
Research instruments should be viewed by families and pre-tested in country when possible/practical, particularly for cultural sensitivity/relevance.
Be prepared to make daily modifications in translations for the first week of conducting the study.
With good preparation, families are willing to accept researchers (and foreigners) in their home to talk about their adoptions.
Any researcher must collaborate with in-country adoption workers in deciphering results.
The Child Welfare System Differences
Family vs. Institutional Care Child-Centered vs. Family-Centered
COMPARISON OF FAMILY FOSTER CARE TO INSTITUTIONAL CARE
FAMILY CARE love affection structure 1:1 attention individual focus belonging to an extended system of
relations stimulation through relationships
INSTITUTIONAL CARE acceptance/tolerance distance routine 1:8-35 attention group focus belong/identify to the group stimulation thru programs
Risks to Children from Early Institutionalization
– Health– Development– Attachment– Psychosocial (Emotional and Behavioral)
Functioning
Other in Different Countries
AmericaNon-voluntary termination of parental rightsSubsidyFormal and informal systems of post-placement support
RomaniaAbandonmentNo subsidyMinimal post-placement support
IndiaAbandonmentSavings accountsSome post-placement supportOnly Hindus can adopt in-country; Moslems and Christians have permanent, legal guardianship
0102030405060708090
100
Percentfemale
PercentMoms*
PercentMarried
IndiaRomaniaAmerica
Selected Child and Family Demographics
Parent-Child Relations
00.20.40.60.8
11.21.41.6
Gett
ing A
long
Comm
unicatio
nTru
st
Respec
t
Close
nss
IndiaRomaniaAmerica
Adoption Smoothness*
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Smoother AsExpected
More Upsand Down
IndiaRomaniaAmerica
Adoption Impact
01020
304050
607080
90
VeryPositive
MostlyPositive
Mixed
IndiaRomaniaAmerica
Behavior Problems
India Romania America
Somatic Complaints .68 .37 .38
Anxiety/Depression* 2.2 1.8 .71
Social Problems* 2.3 1.0 2.0
Withdrawal 1.3 .49 1.3
Thought Problems* .91 .18 .63
Attention Problems* 2.7 1.2 2.6
Aggressiveness* 6.6 3.0 5.8
Across countries—lessons learned about families
Families were more similar than they were different Children had more similarities than differences Families had few service needs that went unmet The service system issues were different by country Birth family issues were much more prominent a concern
in Romania and India than with American families. Family environment is powerful in shaping adoption
outcomes and mitigating the risk children bring to families, but there is still so much to learn