[Parent child relations problems in adoption]

Abstract

Adoption always represents for the child a loss of emotional ties with birthparents and a development of new attachments with adoptive parents. Adoption can be considered as a life-time process of the members involved in the adoption triangle, that is birth parents, adoptive parents and the child. The article discusses the loss of emotional bonds from primary caretakers as a psychological trauma and addresses mournings difficulties in adoptees. Problems with the development of new attachments with adoptive parents such as loyalty conflicts and the revelation of the adoption are described. Family romance phantasy in adoption and the search for their origin by young adoptees are also explored. Aspects of family dynamics in the adoptive process and the specific difficulties adoptive parents encounter are reviewed. Preventive and therapeutic measures are presented.