“If We’re Not Coping, What Chance Have we Got of Parenting Our Children Well?” Adopters’ Mental Health and Help-Seeking Experiences

Developmental and mental health challenges experienced by adopted children can manifest vicariously in adopters. Yet there is a perceived lack of consideration toward adopters’ mental health throughout the adoption process. Studies exist on birth-parental mental health and support needs, and mental illness and behavioral challenges in adopted children, yet comparatively little research explores the mental health experiences of adopters. This study seeks to redress this evidence gap by presenting experiences of adoptive parents in their own words. Results highlight experiences of powerlessness, invalidation, isolation, and silence, all of which contribute to adopters’ poor mental health, and prevent adopters seeking support.