Adoptive Parenting: Correlates of Socio-Demographic Factors and Child Attachment among Domestically and Internationally Adopted Children in Nairobi, Kenya

Caroline Ayuya, PhD | Alice Munene, PsyD - (Daystar University, Kenya)

Abstract

This study examined correlates of socio-demographic factors and child attachment among domestically and internationally adopted children in Nairobi, Kenya.  The objective of the study was to establish association of socio-demographic factors and child attachment behavior among adopted children. A clinical sample of 35 adopted children between the ages of two and five years together with their domestic and international adoptive parents were assessed. A non-randomized consecutive order convenience sample of adoptees was collected. The sample (n=15) comprised international adoptees while sample (n= 20) comprised domestic adoptees. Child attachment behavior was measured using the Attachment Q-Sort. Soco-demographic questionnaire was administered to measure the independent variable. Data was collected using observations, questionnaires and interviews. Data was analyzed utilizing SPSS version 21. A t- test was performed to compare mean age differences among adopted children. Chi Square (χ²) was used to determine the relationship between age groups and attachment. The examination of the correlation between the independent and dependent variables was done by Pearson’s correlation coefficient (p). One of the major findings was that most of the socio-demographic factors were not statistically significantly correlated with adopted children's attachment. Also, secure attachment increased over time for both domestically and internationally adopted children.

Key words: adoption, adoptees, adoptive parenting, child attachment, domestic adoptees, international adoptees and attachment Q-Sort.