Adjustment and identity formation in adopted and nonadopted young adults: Contributions of family environment.

Abstract

Adopted and nonadopted college students were compared on measures of overall adjustment and identity formation, and on perceptions of the general environment characterizing their families of origin. Although adjustment and identity formation were largely similar in the two groups, the family dynamics that predicted success differed for adoptees and nonadoptees.

Predictors of Psychological Functioning and Adoption Experience in Adults Searching for Their Birthparents

“…Research has also indicated that family dynamics that predict positive outcomes differed in adoptive and non-adoptive families. Whereas greater family individuality and expressiveness were related to positive self-control ratings in non-adopted college students, higher levels of clarity and structure in organizing family activities and family expressiveness were related to more self-control in college students who were adopted (Kelly et al, 1998; see also Levy-Shiff, 2001).…”

“…Adoptive families have been found to be more cohesive (i.e., emotionally closer) and less individuated (i.e., individual family members are less independent) than non-adoptive families (Hoopes, 1982(Hoopes, , 1990Kelly, Towner-Thyrum, Rigby & Martin, 1998;Sobol, Delaney, & Earn, 1994). Research has also indicated that family dynamics that predict positive outcomes differed in adoptive and non-adoptive families.…”

Adult Adoptees as Partners and Parents: The Joint Task of Revisiting the Adoption History

“…Some studies compared adopted and non-adopted young adults, mainly focusing on mental health and psychological well-being; however, results of these studies are not consistent and have exhibited contradictory findings. On one hand, a number of studies demonstrated that adult adoptees are more likely to be at higher risk for psychopathological outcomes and lower level of psychological well-being (Cubito & Obremski Brandon, 2000;Cantor-Grace & Pedersen, 2007;Feeney, Passmore, & Peterson, 2007;Hjern, von Borczyskowski, Lindblad, & Vinnerljung, 2006;Levy-Shiff, 2001;Passmore, Fogarty, Bourke, & Baker-Evans, 2005;Tieman, van der Ende, & Verhulst, 2005), while other studies failed to find any differences in adjustment and in psychological wellbeing between adopted and non-adopted adults (Borders, Penny, & Portnoy, 2000;Feigelman, 2000;Irhammar & Bengtsson, 2004;Kelly, Towner-Thyrum, Rigby, & Martin, 1998;Smyer, Gatz, Simi, & Pedersen, 1998).…”

Depression, Emotional Arousability, and Perceptions of Parenting in Adult Adoptees and Non-Adoptees

“…Thus, it is possible that the greater economic and parental stability experienced by the adoptees protected them against depression. Indeed, a number of studies suggest that a wellfunctioning adoptive family can buffer the adoptee against negative psychosocial outcomes such as poor self-esteem (e.g., Kelly, Towner-Thyrum, Rigby, & Martin, 1998;Passmore, Fogarty, Bourke, & Baker-Evans, 2005). Powell and Afifi (2005) also found that adult adoptees were less likely to express feelings of loss if their adoptive families were open and accepting.…”