Mental health group for adopted adolescents: supporting adoptive families through adolescent identity exploration to minimize post-adoption instability and disruption - this study evaluates the impact…

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded the University of Texas at Austin a $1.8 million Cooperative Agreement on September 30, 2026, under the Adoption Opportunities program (CFDA 93.652) to evaluate the Beneath the Mask Teen Group intervention for adoptive families.

The award funds a randomized controlled trial testing an 8-session virtual therapeutic group model designed for adopted adolescents, complemented by parallel caregiver sessions. The intervention addresses identity exploration, difference and loss, adoption narratives, loyalty, and permanence to enhance family cohesion and reduce post-adoption disruption. The study will enroll 240 adolescents adopted at least three years prior, randomized to either treatment or control (services as usual), with data collection at baseline, immediate post-test, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up across two geographic sites: Texas and the Washington, DC metro area.

The period of performance runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2030. The University of Texas System is the parent organization of UT Austin, the direct recipient.

Mental health group for adopted adolescents: supporting adoptive families through adolescent identity exploration to minimize post-adoption instability and disruption - this study evaluates the impact of beneath the mask teen group among adoptive families on constructs of identity, adolescent self-efficacy, adolescent behavioral challenges, parental stress, and post-adoption disruption. The intervention consists of 8 virtual therapeutic sessions for adopted adolescents, with complementary sessions designed for caregivers. The model focuses on identity, difference, missing or difficult information, reason for adoption, loyalty, and permanence. The group model is intended to enhance family cohesion. The study employs a randomized controlled trial in texas and the washington, DC metro area. The sample will be comprised of 240 adolescents adopted at least three years prior to enrollment, who will be randomized to either the treatment or control group (which will receive services as usual). Data will be collected at the pre-test, post-test, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up.