Mind the gap: Attending to the transmission gap and its implications for families with adopted children

Domestic and international adoptions in the United States are on the rise (Roberson, 2006). Unfortunately, some recent high-profile adoption disruptions (e.g., the case of Artem Saveliev) have highlighted the lack of support given to many families with regard to forming a relationship with their adopted child. In fact, difficulty in forming an attachment relationship is the primary reason cited for adoption disruption (Berry & Barth, 1991; Coakley & Berrick, 2008; Schmidt, Rosenthal, & Bombeck, 1988). Despite the relatively high (i.e., 8-15%) rate of disruptions, there is a lack of research focusing on how adoptive parents can form a secure attachment relationship with their children (Barth, Berry, Yoshikami, Goodfield, & Carson, 1988; Coakley & Berrick, 2008; Festinger, 1990; Stolley, 1993). There is also a lack of information pertaining to how attachment styles are transmitted across generations; this lack of information has been deemed the transmission gap by researchers. This paper focuses on what is known about the transmission gap as it applies to cases of domestic and international adoption, with a specific focus on how families who adopt children may form a strong attachment relationship so as to prevent disruption of the adoption. Literature was selected based on the following search terms: adopt*, attach*, and transmission gap. This review was restricted to English-language literature published after 1969. Available literature relevant to attachment formation and therapeutic interventions is also reviewed, and recommendations for mental health professionals and parents are discussed. Degree Type Dissertation Rights Terms of use for work posted in CommonKnowledge. Comments Library Use: LIH This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/446 Copyright and terms of use If you have downloaded this document directly from the web or from CommonKnowledge, see the “Rights” section on the previous page for the terms of use. If you have received this document through an interlibrary loan/document delivery service, the following terms of use apply: Copyright in this work is held by the author(s). You may download or print any portion of this document for personal use only, or for any use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.). Except for personal or fair use, you or your borrowing library may not reproduce, remix, republish, post, transmit, or distribute this document, or any portion thereof, without the permission of the copyright owner. [Note: If this document is licensed under a Creative Commons license (see “Rights” on the previous page) which allows broader usage rights, your use is governed by the terms of that license. ] Inquiries regarding further use of these materials should be addressed to: CommonKnowledge Rights, Pacific University Library, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, (503) 352-7209. Email inquiries may be directed to:. copyright@pacificu.edu This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/446 MIND THE GAP: ATTENDING TO THE TRANSMISSION GAP AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILIES WITH ADOPTED CHILDREN A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PACIFIC UNIVERSITY HILLSBORO, OREGON BY JESSICA L. BINKLEY, M.S. IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY JULY 25, 2011 APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE: Catherine A. Miller, Ph.D. Dissertation CommitteeChair Professor, Assistant Dean Sandra Y. Jenkins, Ph.D. Dissertation Committee-Reader Professor, Director of Human Diversity