Toward an Organizational-Relational Model of Open Adoption |
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Authors: | DEBORAH R SILVERSTEIN MSW JACK DEMICK PhD |
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Institution: | Co-Director, Focus Counseling and Consultation, Inc., 186 1/2 Hampshire Street, Cambridge MA 02139.;Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston MA 02114. |
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Abstract: | Clinicians and social scientists have attempted to demonstrate the advisability of open versus closed adoption (communication and/or contact vs. no communication and/or contact between biological and adoptive parents) from a variety of theoretical perspectives. In our article, we seek a conceptual framework that will (a) elaborate how such divergent conclusions about openness versus confidentiality have heretofore been drawn, and (b) provide a comprehensive analysis of the behavior and experiences of all members of the adoption triad (birthparents, adoptive parents, adoptees). Employing structural aspects of organismic-developmental theory ( Werner, 1957 ) and dynamic aspects of self-in-relation theory ( Miller, 1976 ), we propose an organizational-relational approach to open adoption. Preliminary research findings are also provided. |
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