Analyzing the Challenges of Selection, Training, and Supervision in Child Adoption from the Perspective of Parents: A Qualitative Study

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master Student in Family Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Full Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Adoption, as a vital means of fulfilling parents' desire for a child and providing children in need of a family with responsible guardians, is a multifaceted process that necessitates thorough assessment, specialized training, and ongoing support from prospective parents. This study, employing a qualitative approach and aimed at investigating the experiences of adoptive mothers regarding the challenges encountered during the adoption process, was conducted to establish a scientific foundation for enhancing policies and practices related to selection, education, and supervision. Purposeful sampling encompassed 11 adoptive mothers affiliated with the Welfare Organization, and data were gathered through in-depth interviews until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was conducted employing the thematic analysis method, resulting in the identification of six overarching themes and 12 main sub-themes. The findings indicated that adoptive mothers encounter challenges such as a prolonged and erosive process, ambiguity within the procedure, an inappropriate trajectory of parent-child familiarization, ineffective and non-dynamic evaluation criteria, a lack of comprehensive and effective selection, education, and discontinuation strategies, an absence of professional ethics and dignity-centered approaches in the selection process, deficiencies in monitoring and tracking the family and child’sprogress, limited utilization of available resources and insufficient networking among families, as well as experiencing negative emotions and tangible consequences resulting from systemic inefficiencies. This study underscores the significance of reviewing and enhancing the procedures for selecting, educating, and supervising adoptive parents. Implementing scientific and practical solutions can contribute to improving the quality of life for adoptive families, fostering greater child-parent compatibility, and minimizing negative outcomes resulting from systemic inefficiencies.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Woman in Development & Politics
Volume 23, Issue 4
January 2026
Pages 675-708

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