Parenting in the "extreme": An exploration into the psychological well-being of long-term adoptive mothers

Objective: The objective of this study was to increase understanding of factors that influence adoptive mothers' psychological and emotional well-being. The aims were to compare mothers' self-reported emotional state 12 months after child placement to the time of the interview and to identify factors that challenge and support maternal mental health.Background: Mothers who adopt children face unique challenges that put them at a heightened risk of negative mental health. There is a need for better understanding of the influences on their psychological and emotional well-being.Method: This qualitative study involved nine in-depth semistructured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results: The themes offered broad insights, including the consistency of negative mental health across time associated with demands of "extreme parenting," strains within and across relationships, and deprioritizing self-care. Factors associated with positive mental health included development of love; attachment and sense of family identity; learning, competence, and "therapeutic parenting," and the ability to "offload."Conclusion: The emotional and psychological well-being of mothers who adopt children should be validated and recognized as important to the overall adjustment of adoptive families.Implications: Adoption agencies should take a proactive approach to addressing the mental health needs of adoptive mothers, providing comprehensive information, ongoing support, and regular assessments.