If you're planning to adopt, what kind of psychological test they will give you?

Question

If you're planning to adopt, what kind of psychological test they will give you?

Answer 1

We also had to go through no formal psychological testing to adopt.

Answer 2

They don't do testing.  My parents were NUTS.

Answer 3

None, but the homestudy is extensive and that invovles a medical from your home doctor (at least five years) and a run through the social services.  There are five references who have to comment if you have any past mental health issues, and the homestudy is very very intenstive and something would come out in the interivews.

Answer 4

In some international adoption situations, the country of origin does require psych testing.  While this scares many people it shouldn't.  In most cases all that is required is to meet with a state certified psychologist or MSW (counceling social worker) and supply information about yourself, family, and background.  The professional will then compose a letter indicating his/her recommendation on your persuit of adoption.  This allows the country to place children outside their nation and having a paper trail that will allow for background information.  There is really nothing to it.  Most countries will accept one letter for the couple.  Make sure you check the specific requirements.  Oh, by the way an MSW is much cheaper to see.  Good luck in your adoption travels.

Answer 5

There is no psychological test that adoptive parents have to take or pass. It would be great if there were some sort of "test" to be able to determine if people were likely to make good parents but, there is no such thing.

Answer 6

None  At least not in my case.  They go through your medical history and they get a form from your doctor to see if you healthy enough to adopt.    YOu are asked lots of questions by the social worker. Like how will you parent will you use spanking etc.  If a red flag comes up during any of this then you get sent to a therapist for 6 sessions who then gives the ok or not for you to adopt.   We did not have to do any of this

Answer 7

I think the requirements can vary by agency, state and program.

For our first adoption, no formal psychological testing was required.

The agency we used for our second adoption required the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory). I believe it was an agency requirement -- not a state or program requirement.

Answer 8

Generally during the Home Study process the adoption worker or agency will determine what red-flags might require more evaluations.

It may also depend on the type of adoption you are planning, your age--and how many years you have lived to be tramatized or just collect baggage....

With our adoption for example: We were adopting special needs foster siblings. The oldest was 5 yrs and the youngest 1 yr. The oldest had lived on the streets, witnessed domestic violence and not fed, bathed or taken to a doctor ever.

We were nearly 40, had two grown children and a lot of life behind us... I was a battered wife, who got out and protected my children. I also had a bio child who suffered a serious injury which required over three years of therapy and surgeries... My bio children were fuctional, and sucessful...

I had taken Prozac during my oldest son's injury and recovery as well as during my divorce (escape from domestic violence).

Because of the Nature of our adoption choice--It was clear that I might or might not be a great parent for a special needs child so more Psych Evals were in order.

My husband had been a VERY sucessful Computer Programmer and lived a wild life until age 36. He had no children and 6 weeks before our wedding his 12 yr old neice and father were killed by a drunk driver... My husband was co-parenting his niece with his sister when we were planning our wedding.

My husband needed some more evaluations due to the sever greif he was suffer. Everyone needed to be sure our plans for adoption had NOTHING to do with REPLACING someone else especially a 12 year old child.

We both were asked for advanced Psych Evals...and were HAPPY to do so. We were trained, educated and secure knowing that we were going to adopt siblings--with special needs. For us it was only natural to be asked to go through more extensive evals...  We would have thought it was WRONG had we not been asked for more extensive evals...

We were also Happy to go through this process because it made it more possible to have children placed who had needs we WOULD be able to advocate for....  Our more extensive psych evals also indicated some of the ways our LIVES would show compassion and empathy for the issues of our children...

We were actually placed with the children we adopted DUE to our past life history, how we managed it, the steps we took to overcome and the way we thought--felt and understood as a result.

Answer 9

We are in the process of completing our Home Study for our 2nd international adoption.  For our 1st adoption, we did not have to do any psychological testing.  Now we do.  It is a new requirement of Russia; I'm not sure about other countries.  

We recently met with a psychologist for a 1 1/2 hour interview and completed an evaluation/test form.  We will go back and complete a 550+ question MMPI test and another marriage/compatibility test.  

The psychological testing and interviews have been implemented to help screen for people that have mental health issues and marriage issues, hopefully to prevent any abuse and to be sure that the marriage is strong enough.  The adoption process can be stressful and so can parenting.  

I think it's all a great idea.  Only wish that ALL parents had to do it!  Now wouldn't THAT solve a lot of the world's issues??

Answer 10

We had no formal psychological testing, but your motives, stability, etc. are evaluated through the homestudy process.

Answer 11

None.  You just need the $$$$$.