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General public perceptions and motivations to adopt children from out-of-home care in New South Wales, Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2019

Betty Luu Open the ORCID record for Betty Luu [Opens in a new window] ,
Amy Conley Wright  and
Melanie Randle
Betty Luu*
Affiliation:
The University of Sydney, Institute of Open Adoption Studies, Sydney School of Education and Social Work, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
Amy Conley Wright
Affiliation:
The University of Sydney, Institute of Open Adoption Studies, Sydney School of Education and Social Work, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
Melanie Randle
Affiliation:
University of Wollongong, School of Management, Operations and Marketing, Faculty of Business, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Betty Luu, Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Recent reforms in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, prioritise adoption over long-term foster care. While previous research has examined motivation to foster, less is known about the interest by the general public in adoption from out-of-home care. A general sample of the NSW public (N = 1030) completed an online survey about adoption practices and their willingness to consider adopting from out-of-home care, with background questions on perceived social support and life satisfaction. Barriers to pursuing adoption were identified, including concerns about the characteristics of the child related to their experiences of care and personal impacts including financial costs. Availability of post-adoption supports was viewed positively as increasing interest in adoption. General Linear Model univariate analyses identified that likelihood of considering adoption was primarily predicted by younger age, knowing someone who had been adopted as a child, actively practicing religion, living in the city rather than a regional area and higher life satisfaction. Customised marketing campaigns can target people more likely to consider adoption, with messages that resonate with their social and psychological characteristics. There is also a need for policy changes to ensure adequate provision of post-adoption support.

Keywords

Open adoptionout-of-home carefoster careadoptersmotivation to adoptbarriers to adoptionconsidering adoption
Type
Articles
Information
Children Australia , Volume 44 , Issue 4 , December 2019 , pp. 212 - 222
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019 

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