ABSTRACT
The prediction substudy indicates that adoption disruptions apparently occur with less frequency than many have feared. The variables used in the analyses were chosen because of modest or strong bivariate relationships to the adoption outcome. The variables were entered in four groups: child characteristics; placement characteristics: match between child and placement; and subsidies. Adoption agencies might proceed to test the durability of single-parent placements under additional conditions which are underrepresented among single-parent adoptions— especially in fost-adopt placements and placements with younger children. Information that is readily available to social workers before they make decisions about placing an older child is badly needed. Foster parent placements may have lower disruption rates because the child and family learn if the placement will work during the foster care stage. The use of older-child, fost-adopt, and single-parent adoptions has increased markedly in recent years and agency placement practices may simply have needed time to catch up.
