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Date of Award

6-2017

Document Type

Restricted Project: Campus only access

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Gordon, Zoila

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to explore the potential influence of direct-to-consumer genetic test results of a pre-adoptive foster child on the decision of the prospective adoptive foster parents to finalize or disrupt their adoption of the foster child. A quantitative survey was conducted using a sample of foster parents with three distinct statuses as a foster parent. They included, foster parents in the process of adopting their foster child, foster parents awaiting placement of a foster child in their home, and individuals in the process of completing training to become foster parents. The study participants were from a foster family agency that specializes in foster adoptions and all study participants had indicated they wanted to adopt a foster child. The foster family agency has two locations, one in Orange County and the other in San Bernardino County. Study data was collected through the use of a self-report questionnaire at five different foster family agency events. Twelve original survey questions were designed to measure three core areas: knowledge of prospective adoptive foster parents on the information direct-to-consumer genetic testing can provide; attitudes of prospective adoptive foster parents regarding the use of direct-to-consumer genetic testing as a pre-adoption screening tool; and, if direct-to-consumer genetic test results of a foster child influences the decision of prospective adoptive foster parents to finalize or disrupt a foster adoption. Using SPSS software to analyze data, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted between the three different foster parent statuses and the four questions designed to measure the core area of if direct-to-consumer genetic test results of a foster child influences the decision of prospective adoptive foster parents to finalize or disrupt a foster adoption. More than half of the survey participants, identified as women (n=39, 54.9%) and 32 (23.9%) identified as men. Results showed that there was a significant relationship found between the direct-to-consumer genetic test results of a foster child to influence the prospective adoptive foster parent to stop adoption proceedings for the child with the status of foster parents awaiting placement of the first foster child into their home.

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