title: Unique issues of the adopted child: helping parents talk openly and honestly with their child and the community.
abstract: 1. Due to the psychological impact of losses associated with adoption, adopted children are at risk for developing adjustment problems. Children raised in families that are comfortable talking about adoption are more likely to be emotionally healthy. 2. The child's perception and understanding of adoption changes as the child develops and matures. 3. Health care professionals can teach parents about typical concerns related to adoption and ways to provide information and support consistent with the child's emotional maturity and learning ability. 4. Parents can also learn strategies to counter critical social attitudes and promote a more positive view of adoption.
authors.affiliation: Northern Michigan University Department of Nursing, Marquette 49855-5346, USA.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012649:Self Concept; D014342:Truth Disclosure