The number of adoption candidates is four times the number of children available for adoption, so this process is associated with a long waiting period. It is pertinent to understand, generally, how the candidates experience the waiting period, and, specifically, what worries them, beliefs that they have, the possible stress that can be associated with the experience of this process and which coping strategies are used to make the candidates face it. The inclusion factor was defined to be a candidate to adoption, in the waiting phase, meaning that they had already passed the assessment phase and were expecting to be contacted. Based on a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted to six participants. The main results point to beliefs, such as the forgetfulness by the technicians, or the ones associated with attachment and child problems; concerns, such as not being contacted, the child’s adaptation and past history, or the long waiting period; and stressors, such as the uncertainty of the waiting period, the existence of biological children or the ability of others to adopt. As coping strategies, sharing experiences with others, searching for information, sports, work or focusing on positive thoughts were all identified.
Date of Award | 18 Jul 2016 |
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Original language | Portuguese |
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Awarding Institution | - Universidade Católica Portuguesa
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Supervisor | Elisa Veiga (Supervisor) & Mariana Negrão (Supervisor) |
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- Candidates to adoption
- Beliefs
- Concerns
Viver a espera: crenças, preocupações e stress em candidatos à adoção
Fernandes, I. J. C. (Student). 18 Jul 2016
Student thesis: Master's Thesis