Adoptonomics: Financial Decision-Making in Adoption
Disciplines
Other Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Adding a child to a family via adoption involves significant planning for the associated expenses. While previous research has examined the psychological factors associated with adoption, studies have yet to examine the monetary elements within the adoption process or the decisions made regarding these costs. This research focused on how families funded their adoptions, the expenditures involved in the process, the various sources of outside contributions families sought (e.g., grants, fundraising, tax credits), and the attitudes surrounding each financial choice made. Preliminary data on the expenses involved in participants’ adoptions was collected through an online survey from an international audience of parents who had adopted at least one child. We predicted that each method of adoption, including foster-to-adopt, domestic, and international, necessitated unique financial requirements and contributions from the adopting individual(s). We also hypothesized that those who utilized outside funding support would hold more positive attitudes towards using these avenues to fund their adoptions than those who did not. The data is currently trending toward support of our hypotheses and will be completed at the time of presentation.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Nicole Martin
Adoptonomics: Financial Decision-Making in Adoption
Adding a child to a family via adoption involves significant planning for the associated expenses. While previous research has examined the psychological factors associated with adoption, studies have yet to examine the monetary elements within the adoption process or the decisions made regarding these costs. This research focused on how families funded their adoptions, the expenditures involved in the process, the various sources of outside contributions families sought (e.g., grants, fundraising, tax credits), and the attitudes surrounding each financial choice made. Preliminary data on the expenses involved in participants’ adoptions was collected through an online survey from an international audience of parents who had adopted at least one child. We predicted that each method of adoption, including foster-to-adopt, domestic, and international, necessitated unique financial requirements and contributions from the adopting individual(s). We also hypothesized that those who utilized outside funding support would hold more positive attitudes towards using these avenues to fund their adoptions than those who did not. The data is currently trending toward support of our hypotheses and will be completed at the time of presentation.