Adopters’ Perspectives of Conflict and Resolution When Caring and Advocating for Their Children

Abstract Adopters play a vital role in caring for the most vulnerable children in our society, yet many face a continuous battle to gain access to appropriate support for their children. Furthermore, adopters frequently experience conflict in the family home in the form of child-to-parent aggression. However, little is known about other forms of conflict faced by adopters. Based on focus groups with 47 UK-based adopters, this qualitative study explores the range of adopters’ experiences of conflict when caring and advocating for their children, the impact of conflict on adopters’ mental health and wellbeing, and solutions for conflict resolution proposed by adopters, paying particular attention to the role of empathy and compassion. The study finds adopters face multiple sources of conflict, primarily in the family home, with adoption professionals, and with education providers, all of which impact negatively on adopters’ mental health. Based on study findings, a conflict management model is developed comprising a three-step process to resolve conflict, encompassing Awareness, Understanding, and Prosocial Behaviors. Findings may be used to inform future service provision to alleviate conflict experienced by adopters and mitigating its negative effect on both adopters and the wider family dynamic, so that adopters and families may remain functioning.