An ABCX model of family adjustment in adoption and permanent fostering of children with intellectual disability

Abstract

Children with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) represent a growing proportion of children who are adopted or in foster care. This study aims to explore family adjustment in foster and adoptive families of children with IDD using the ABCX model of family adjustment. Sixty-two families with adopted and foster children with IDD between two and 36 years old in Spain participated in the study. Parents completed a self-reported questionnaire including measures of child demands, family strengths, adjustment of expectations and family adjustment to adoption. The combination of child demands, family strengths and family expectations predicted 55% of the variance of family adjustment (R2 = .55, F (3,56) = 25.571, p < .001), with C Factor being the most relevant (b = .458, p < .001). No differences were found in the adaptation process depending on the severity of the disability, the age of placement, or the adoption versus fostering process. Significant differences were found in the adaptation process dimensions depending on the special versus ordinary process. Differences were also found in some family dimensions depending on the diagnosis of the disability or the family stage. These findings highlight the importance of previous expectations and special processes in adopting children and young people with IDD.