Stress and Adaptation of Adopting Families : Open Adoption in Korea and Australia

입양 가정의 스트레스와 적응 : 한국과 호주의 공개입양가정을 중심으로

Investigating cross-cultural differences of family stress and adaptation in Korea and Australia, 49 families in open adoption were administered the Family Index of Regenerativity and Adaptation-General (McCubbin, 1987), Family Problem Solving Communications (McCubbin et al., 1988), and Social Support Index (McCubbin et al., 1982). Data were analyzed by T-test and correlation analysis. Results indicated that adoption itself was the primary stressor in both countries. Korean adoptive families were under stress by family-oriented factors; Australian adoptive families experienced external family stress. Regarding family hardiness, coping efforts and family communication, Australian adoptive families reported significantly higher family functioning than Korean adoptive families. Findings suggested that a broad range of social support is needed to improve family adaptability in both countries.