Emotional development of adopted children: Integrative review of literature

Abstract

This study of integrative review of scientific literature aimed to know what the scientific literature of the last ten years, anchored in the Winnicott’s perspective, have discussed about the emotional development of the adopted child. The searches were carried out in LILACS, PePSIC and SciELO in the period from 2006 to 2016. Sixteen papers were analyzed in full, from the pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The predominant profile is case studies and theoretical studies that bring clinical care performed with individuals in the adoption process or through the process, and linking aspects of adopting in the concepts of Winnicott’s theory. The studies point to the importance of early relationships in the life of a person to their emotional development, it highlights the importance of a good enough environment for the emotional development of children, and this environment can be provided by a foster family that respects, understands their feelings and their need to know their history, and can provide a safe and welcoming environment. It also highlights the importance of preparation of candidates to adopt to receive a new member and the importance of preparing the child to enter a new family as well.

Keywords: adoption, children, emotional development.