The Psychology of Adoption [Paperback]

David M. Brodzinsky (Editor), Marshall D. Schechter (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195082737 | ISBN-13: 978-0195082739 | Publication Date: October 28, 1993

Recent empirical work has shown that adopted children are more vulnerable to a host of psychological and school-related problems compared to their non-adopted peers. The rate of referral of adopted children to mental-health facilities is far above what would be expected given their representation in the general population. However, our understanding of the basis of these problems remains unclear. In this work, David Brodzinsky, who has conducted one of the largest studies of adopted children, along with Marshall Schechter, a child psychiatrist, has brought together a group of leading researchers from various disciplines to explore the complex, interdisciplinary subject of adoption. Theoretical, empirical, clinical, and social policy issues offer new insights into the problems facing parents of adopted children and especially the children themselves. The book is a comprehensive study and will be of interest to child psychiatrists, developmental and clinical psychologists, social workers, and social service providers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The long-awaited book edited by well-known adoption authorities . . . . It is sure to become a standard text at schools of social work, and ought to be required reading for psychologists and health care professionals." --Adopted Child

"Chapters by 30 authors cover theoretical perspectives, recent research, clinical issues, and changing social policy related to the legal and psychological rights of adoptees to "openness." The initial chapter, by Brodzinsky, provides an excellent description of a coping model that enables young adoptees to offset the greater psychological vulnerability inherent in adoption. . . .The book is likely to be seen as an important one and should be valuable to the various professional disciplines working in the field of adoption." --Readings: A Journal of Reviews and Commentary in Mental Health

"In this book, theoretical, empirical, clinical and social policy issues offer new insights into the problems facing parents of adopted children, and especially the children themselves." --Adolescence

"Brodzinsky and Schechter have delivered a valuable collection of chapters dealing with a wide range of theoretical, empirical, and practical issues related to adoption. . . .Brodzinsky and Schechter are to be commended for helping to bring adoption out of the realm of opinion by securing its footing on a strong research base." --Contemporary Psychology

"An outstanding collection of articles on many aspects of adoption. . . .An extremely valuable 32-page list of references is included. . . .This book fills a previously unmet need in the field." --Arkansas Department of Human Services Newsletter

"A well edited, readable, interesting, and sometimes provocative volume. It appeared to touch on most. . .important themes and dilemmas of adoption. . . .Chapters in the clinical section provide ideas and techniques that are usable in the therapy room." --Child, Youth & Family Services Quarterly

"The Psychology of Adoption is a book designed to make a real contribution to the resources of adoption professionals that, for the most part, achieves its objective. The balance of the articles are well considered, strongly connected to the topics identified by the editors, and written on a consistent level." --Social Science Review

"Professionals from any of the disciplines touched by adoption . . . will find this resource very useful as a ready analysis of the available adoption research. Each chapter is a free-standing research review on the topic identified as a chapter theme." --OURS magazine

About the Author

David M. Brodzinsky is Associate Professor, Developmental and Clinical Psychology, Rutgers University. Marshall D. Schechter is Professor Emeritus, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 28, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195082737
• ISBN-13: 978-0195082739
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #972,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Facts and The Feelings, May 17, 2000

By 

Wendy Adams - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Psychology of Adoption (Paperback)

We are surrounded by books written about adoption issues from each participant's perspective - the adoptee, the birth parents, the adoptive parents, and even agency workers and counselors. Those written by the "adoption triad" are generally highly emotionally charged. In The Psychology of Adoption, David Brodzinsky and Marshall Schechter have covered a broad range of adoption issues, but have approached them clinically. This is excellent source material for those who are interested in studies that investigate the problems and complications experienced by adoptive parents, adopted children, and birthparents. Brodzinsky and Schechter present and compare results of numerous clinical studies that are the foundation for their professional opinions on, and recommended approaches to improved emotional, psychological and mental health for families involved in adoption. Some of the documentation is difficult to wade through at times, but I was pleased to discover genuine compassion in their treatment of the subject. These men struck me as being caring professionals who are striving to improve a flawed adoption system that is not producing healthy, satisfied participants. They address the complex problems inherent in adoption, and offer options and solutions that, although perhaps not popular or commonly well-known or readily available, have been found to be healing and helpful to troubled families. Possibly more important, they advocate changes to the adoption system that might be preventive medicine for families who are statistically "destined" to have a less than successful adoption experience. I would recommend this book to those who appreciate an educated, clinical perspective that is refreshingly balanced with deeply felt and caring commentary on the adoption experience.