Adoptive Parent-Child Interaction Quality During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

ABSTRACT

This study presents findings derived from an investigation into parent-child interactions among Brazilian adoptive families conducted through online recording and analysis. Participating parents enrolled in an online Parental Training Program titled Adoption: Beginning of New Bonds, which emphasized parental reflective function. Data collection spanned from March to November 2021, coinciding with the isolation measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. The study aimed to delineate interaction patterns within the sampled group and assess whether any alterations occurred in these patterns pre- and post-program participation. The sample consisted of 23 adoptive parents who had adopted a child under the age of five from the public child welfare system. Video recordings of parent-child free play sessions were collected online both before and after program participation. Results indicated a significant difference in the proportion of parents demonstrating sensitivity toward their child, accompanied by a noticeable trend toward enhanced quality in child interaction with their caregivers. Furthermore, this study offers valuable insights for refining observational instruments within the context of adoption.

KEYWORDS:

• Adoption (child)
• pandemic
• interaction
• family
• sensitivity
• Parental Reflective Funcion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported technically and financially by Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância (NCPI), an iniciative with Fundação Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal (FMCSV), INSPER, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Porticus, Fundação Bernard Van Leer, Center On The Developing Child da Universidade de Harvard (“HCDC”) and David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies da Universidade de Harvard.