What is this research project about?
I am conducting a study which will explore the process of becoming a first time adoptive parent, particularly looking at how adoptive parents construct their identities as parents and come to understand expectations about their parenting. The title for this research project is “Adopting Identities: How People Become Parents”.
What are the aims of this research?
The aim of this project is to explore the process of becoming a first time adoptive parent and how ideas about parenting are formed and change during this process. It is hoped that this research will help develop better systems of assessment, training and support for adoptive parents.
What will happen if I take part?
In order to complete this research I would like to interview approved adoptive parents who, at the time of the first interview, have not yet had a child (or children) placed with them. Interviews could last approximately an hour and will be conveniently located at a place of your choice. Please note that interviews will be informal and will aim to not substantially repeat questions asked during the assessment process. Questions will specifically focus on the assessment process, what sort of parent you would like to be and whether this has changed during the assessment process. You will not be asked for in-depth personal information and you are welcome to not answer any question you wish.
Who can take part in this study?
I am looking for future adoptive parents to participate in this study. To take part you will need to have completed your assessment and been approved by panel to adopt (or expect to receive this approval shortly). You should not yet have had a child or children placed to live with you.
Do I need to be single or part of a couple to take part?
Both single people and people who are part of a couple may participate in this research. If you are part of a couple, either one or both of you may choose to be participants. If you both choose to participate you may choose whether you wish to be interviewed together or separately.
What if I already have other children?
You can participate in this study if you currently have no children or if you (or your partner) already have birth children. However if you have previously adopted a child you will not be able to participate. This is because this study focuses on the experience of becoming an adoptive parent for the first time.
How many interviews will there be?
I would like to be able to conduct up to three further follow up interviews. However, just because you agree to participate in the initial interview does not mean that you are required to take part in any further interviews. While I am specifically looking for participants who have not yet had a child placed with them at the time of the first interview, it is expected that many participants will have had a child placed with them by the time of subsequent interviews.
What if I change my mind about taking part?
Participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You may terminate your involvement at any point and you need not give a reason. As you continue to participate in the study, you should always feel fully informed, so please feel free to ask for clarification, or further information at any point. Before the study commences you will be asked to sign a Consent Form to confirm that you have received and read the Participant Information Sheet, and that you are willing to take part in the research. During each interview you have the right to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason and if you so wish, I will not use any of the preceding discussion in my research.
Will anyone else know what I say during my interview?
Any information collected will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. This means that only I will have access to any raw information that can be specifically associated with you, and any information that is shared (such as in reports or publications) will be made anonymous. This means that details such as your name or any identifiers will be removed. This will apply to any publications, presentations, or any discussion with other colleagues at Lancaster University. Your adoption agency will not be informed about whether or not you choose to participate in this study and will not be informed of anything you say during your interviews.
Will I get to see a copy of what I said in the interviews?
The interviews will be recorded and will later be anonymised. If you would like to see a copy of the transcript of your interview before it is anonymised, I can provide you with a copy of this and if you wish any part of your data to be removed this can occur before it is anonymised. Once data has been anonymised it will no longer be possible for that data to be removed from the study. If you wish to receive a copy of your transcript I will send this to you within 14 days, and you will have a further 14 days after receiving this to notify me of any data you would like removing before it is anonymised. All non-anonymised data – interview recordings, non-anonymised transcripts – will be destroyed as soon as anonymised copies have been made.
How will my data be used and protected?
I will treat data that is collected in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. This means that any personal information stored in physical format (paper, readily playable recordings) will be stored in a locked filing cabinet in a locked office on Lancaster University premises. Any personal information stored electronically will be stored on a secure, password-protected server. Any personal information that is transported electronically on a mobile device (a laptop or memory stick) will be encrypted and/or password-protected. Only I will have access to this information and data.
The information collected will be used to inform the development of further research and may be included in publications and presentations. Anonymised data may be kept securely (as described above) for a period of up to ten years, to be used by me only in future publications or in developments of this research project.
What are the risks of participating in this study?
The risks related to this study are minimal. Your participation in this study and any information you share will be treated in the strictest confidence. The adoption agency and your social worker will not be informed of your participation or anything that you say. Therefore your participation will have no impact on the placement of a child or children with you or on any support services you may be offered.
What are the benefits of participating in this study?
There may be no personal benefit to you from participating in this project and there is no financial incentive to do so. However you may find that this study offers an opportunity for reflection on your experiences of the adoption process, which may in turn help you to identify any support you may need in the future.
Your participation will allow us to gain an understanding of how adoptive parents come to identify as parents and how they view their parenting role. This could be helpful for developing assessment, training and support services for adoptive parents. At the end of the study you will have the option to receive a report summarising the main findings.
I would like to take part. What do I do next?
If you would like to take part please complete this form leaving your contact details and I will be in touch shortly to arrange to meet with you.