Tornar-se mãe: Construindo o vínculo parento-filial na adoção tardia.

The purpose of this article was to investigate the establishment of the parent-child bond in late adoption. The authors conducted a case study based on data collected in a semi-structured interview with an adoptive mother. The researchers noted the importance of the mother showing herself available to face the needs of the child, allowing for experiences previous to the adoption to be repaired. By a Winnicottian approach, the authors highlighted that, same as in cases of biological gestation; adoptive parents must experience the state of primary maternal preoccupation, even if it happens late, offering a healthy holding environment for the child. The researchers also observed that mother and daughter placed themselves in the relationship, building an emotional bond in a mutual fashion. The preparation of aspiring adoptive parents was shown essential to face the challenges of establishing a parent-child bold, a path in which Adoption Support Groups also played an important supporting role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]