Abstract
M.A. (Social Work)
The purpose of this study was to integrate existing scientific knowledge
into a parent-training programme for adoptive parents. The viability of
such a programme was investigated in the light of the viewpoint of many
authors that the increasing responsibility of parenthood creates an
increasing need for parent-training programmes. The purpose of this
study was formulated as follows:
i) to broaden the insight and knowledge of adoptive parents with regard
to specific matters pertaining to adoption;
ii) to support adoptive parents in their child-rearing task by
stimulating the development of more insigt into the developmental
phases, with special emphasis on those factors pertaining to the
development of the self-image and identity formation, as well as the
genealogy, of the adoptive child;
iii) through the application of insight and knowledge gained through the
programme, to assist their adoptive children in the development of a
positive self-image and identity;
iv) - to enhance a positive self-image of the parent;
- to enhance the parent-child relationship; and
- to aim at better family relationships as a result of the above,
through enhancing satisfactory and effective role fulfillment of the
parent;
v) to enhance primary prevention in the hope that the emotional and
social maladaptation of the adoptive child may be avoided.
In order to fulfill these purposes, a conceptual framework was developed
to generate questions and formulate hypotheses. The Resiarch Development
and Utilization model of Edwin Thomas was utilized as research design for
the development of the programme. In the third phase of Thomas' model
i.e. the evaluation phase, provision is made for the utilization of
evaluative research methodology for the evaluation of the relevant social
technology. Thomas' model further provides for the utilization of
experimental and quasi-experimental designs for the evaluation of social
technology. In additioh, this researcher used programme evaluation as
experimental design, as well as an exploratory-formulative or
hypotheses-developmental design. Three correlation hypotheses were
formulated predicting the relationship between the parent-training
programme for adoptive parents (the independent variable) and the role...