This study carried out in the United States used a lens of family stress theory to explore adoptive parents’ responses to unexpected characteristics of their children. Ninety parents were interviewed approximately 3 months after the adoption placement regarding their "unfulfilled expectations" about their child's age, gender, race and special needs. The study's findings revealed that when some adoptive parents’ expectations are not met, they experience stress, particularly when they believe they lack formal and informal supports and when they feel they are not able to "mould" the child (as a result of the child's older age, for example). In contrast, parental perceptions of adequate support and the ability to engage in a "flexible mindset" regarding expectations of the adoption appeared to facilitate a more positive, less stressful transition to adoptive parenthood.
