Faith-Integrated Resilience Interventions for Adoptive Families: Exploring Spiritually Grounded Practices to Enhance Resilience and Attachment Security
Authored by Dr. Franklin Edward Shoemaker, PhD & Tonya A. Sharrett-Shoemaker, MA - Elevate MINDS ABOVE Politics (Above the Partisan Lines & Noise) a project of Mr. Ed’s Circle of Trust, Inc. dba The Center for Faith-Based Family Services, Family Matters in partnership with Shoemaker Consulting & Treatment Group PLLC, 4404 S. Florida Ave. Suite 14 Lakeland, Florida 33813-2124 (863) 583-4766 Research@MrEdsCircleofTrust.com Copyright 2025 Dr. Franklin Edward Shoemaker, PhD & Tonya A. Sharrett-Shoemaker, MA All Rights Reserved without written Permission of the Authors.
Abstract
Adoptive families often navigate trauma-related challenges, yet spiritually grounded practices—such as gratitude, meaning-making, and forgiveness frameworks—may enhance resilience and attachment security. This comprehensive review synthesizes evidence from related fields (religious attachment, spiritually integrated therapies, positive psychology interventions) indicating that faith-based elements promote emotional regulation, empathy, and relational healing. Direct studies in adoptive families are limited, with no RCTs identified as of December 29, 2025. Indirect support shows religious/spiritual coping buffers adversity, fosters secure God attachments (paralleling parental bonds), and aids post-traumatic growth. Proposed interventions integrate these practices into family therapy.
Keywords: faith-integrated interventions, adoptive families, resilience, attachment security, gratitude, forgiveness, meaning-making, spiritual coping, religious attachment
Introduction
Adoptive families face unique stressors from pre-placement trauma, attachment disruptions, and identity integration. Faith and spirituality often serve as resources, with many families drawing on religious communities for support.
