Green, Elizabeth;
(2025)
Exploring Patterns and Outcomes of ‘Moral’ and ‘Biological’ Motivations in UK-Based Adoptive Parents.
Doctoral thesis (D.Psych), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Background and Aim: This study explores the influence of adoptive parents’ motivations, categorised as biological (infertility-driven) or moral (altruistic or ethical commitments), on various adoption-related factors, including preferences for child characteristics, social workers’ confidence ratings, and placement outcomes. Understanding these motivations provides insights into the dynamics of adoption in the UK and their implications for adoptive families and policy development. Methods: Using a quantitative, retrospective, longitudinal design, the study analysed data from 110 adoptive parent-child dyads within a UK local authority. Variables included adoptive parents’ demographics, preferences, and motivational profiles, alongside child characteristics, social worker confidence ratings, and adoption outcomes at six- and fifteen-years post-placement. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and Monte Carlo simulations, were employed. Findings: Results indicated that biologically motivated parents were more likely to adopt younger children and had higher social worker confidence ratings, whereas morally motivated parents adopted older children and those with greater emotional or behavioural challenges. No statistically significant relationship was found between motivational profiles and long-term adoption success, though moral motivations were associated with slightly better outcomes. Discussion: The findings highlight the nuanced relationship between adoptive motivations, preferences, and adoption dynamics, emphasising the need for tailored support and policies that address the specific challenges faced by different adopter profiles. Future research should explore underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQI+ adopters, and the evolving trends in adoptive motivations.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | D.Psych |
| Title: | Exploring Patterns and Outcomes of ‘Moral’ and ‘Biological’ Motivations in UK-Based Adoptive Parents |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2025. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| Keywords: | adoption motivations, adoptive parents, biological motivations, moral motivations, adoption outcomes, child welfare. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10209630 |
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