The aim of this study is to investigate, through individual narratives, the conflicting voices in the ‘dialogical self’ of transracially adopting mothers. It is hypothesised that internalised voices from the family of origin are in conflict with the interracial voice of the new interracial family. The exchange or conflict between the voices is said to influence the transracially adopting mother’s experience and understanding of transracial adoption. The literature review of chapter two comprises three subsections. The first undertakes a review of the different concepts of self and concludes with a study of the ‘dialogical self’ that arises out of the narrative process. The narrative approach in psychology is the focus of the second subsection and addresses issues relating to the role and nature of the narrative in organising human experience. This relates to the experience of transracial adoption that is reviewed in the third subsection. Chapter three reviews the self – confrontation method used to investigate the conflicting voices within the dialogical self of each of the five participants in the study. This method is based on valuation theory and allows for an investigation of the self-narratives of the participants. The process of analysis is outlined and the ethical considerations discussed. The results of this study are described and interpreted and conclusions are drawn in chapter four. The results confirm the hypothesis that voices of the family of origin do create internal conflict within transracially adopting mothers where the interracial voice is not adequately independent, distinct and internalised. In chapter five the findings of chapter four are evaluated and recommendations proposed for consideration by adoption agencies. / Prof. Henning Viljoen

Thesis (M. Ed.)--Queen's University, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-180). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/tape15/PQDD%5F0009/MQ31235.pdf.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of California, San Diego, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed July 2, 2009). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Includes bibliographical references (p. 157-167).

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, August, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-111). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2002. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-111).

xiv, 204 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / The purpose of this study was to examine counselor trainees' perceptions of adopted clients and explore how trainee perceptions may vary according to counselor trainees' adoption-related knowledge, attitudes, and clinical skills. This study extends the limited body of research examining mental health professionals' potential bias related to adopted clients in their approach to treatment and case conceptualization. Counselor trainees (N = 430) read one of six client case study vignettes that were identical except for variations on client adoption status (adopted, transracially adopted, nonadopted) and client sex (male or female), resulting in six different stimuli conditions. Group differences were examined for two independent variables (client adoption status and client sex) and dependent variables measuring counselor trainees' perceptions of clients in four areas: (a) seriousness of treatment plan and prognosis, (b) assignment of favorable or unfavorable adjectives to clients, (c) counselor trainees' assessment of client level of functioning, and (d) diagnosis behavior. Preexisting counselor adoption knowledge, attitudes, and skills were assessed by the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills of Adoption Survey (KASAS) that was created and validated specifically for this study. Results of exploratory factor analyses on the KASAS revealed a cogent, three-factor structure for the measure with high factor internal consistency. The main study research questions were then addressed within the context of several univariate general linear models. Findings demonstrated that counselor trainees perceive adopted clients generally more negatively than nonadopted clients. Participants rated same-race adopted clients as lower functioning than nonadopted clients, reported having greater overall concern for adopted clients (both same-race and transracially adopted) in comparison with nonadopted clients, and rated adopted clients' problems as more severe than those of nonadopted clients despite being presented with otherwise identical presenting issues. Descriptive data revealed that 64% of trainees reported lack of preparation to deal with or no knowledge about adoption, and 89% reported wanting additional clinical training about adoption Implications for future research and practice are presented. / Committee in charge: Benedict McWhirter, Chairperson, Counseling Psychology and Human Services; Deanna Linville-Knobelspiesse, Member, Counseling Psychology and Human Services; Paul Yovanoff, Member, Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership; Ellen Herman, Outside Member, History

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, 2008. / Title from dissertation title page (viewed May 13, 2008). Includes abstract. "Dissertation presented to the Faculty of the Brite Divinity School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-46).