Phenomenology of Adoption Children with Disabilities by Adoptive Parents

This Graduation work is devoted to a qualitative study of the experience of adopting children with disabilities (developmental features). In a specific cultural space, attitudes towards people/children with special features in modern Russia, characterized by stigmatizing and having many stereotypes, are being formed. The problems of adoption are illustrated by the statistics according to which one in 10 children is returned from the family to the care of the State. The aim of this study is to examine how successful experiences of adopting orphans are. Theoretical acceptance data have been systematized. The available sources covering the experience of parents adopting children with disabilities have been analysed. Based on the theory of the Person-Centered Approach of K. Rogers, were examined theoretical assumptions about the experience of acceptance and the phenomena that promote it Twelve mothers who have adopted one or more disabled children participated in the empirical study. One of the most important criteria for selection was cohabitation with the child for at least three years and an informed and responsible choice of future residence. Data collection was carried out under the basic conditions (empathic listening, congruence, empathy, unconditional positive regard.). The method of collecting information was a semi-structured interview. Phenomenological analysis (Giorgi, 2009) revealed phenomena of adoption on three levels: emotional - body acceptance, conscious acceptance, intuitive (imaginary) level. The phenomenon of «responsible decision making» is common and probably determinative for all stages of adoption. The phenomena of acceptance of the state of health of the child and the phenomena accompanying and influencing the experience of parenting were also described. The justification of the experience of adoption as a trend towards mainstreaming and self-mainstreaming has been presented. It has been shown that adoptive parents who have taken in children with incurable diseases are closer to full functioning in their lives.