Adopted adults’ perception of their need to search: Implications for clinical practice

M.S.W., Doris Bertocci; Schechter, Marshall D.

doi:10.1080/00377319109516693

Cited by 26 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In contrast to previous studies (Bertocci & Schechter, 1991;Humphrey & Humphrey, 1989;Levi-Shiff, 2001), gender and age of placement did not contribute to the prediction of psychological functioning and adoption experience. The failure to find any effect of age of placement, however, may be due to the fact that the vast majority of the participants in our study were adopted in their first year of life.…”

Section: Adoption Experiencecontrasting

confidence: 85%

“…Generally, persons who were adopted were more likely to search for their birthmother over their birthfather (Müller & Perry, 2001b), although men were more likely than women to be interested in finding their birthfather (Pacheco & Eme, 1993). Among adopted persons searching for their birthparents, women were more likely than men to report an unhappy adoption experience and to report more identity problems (Bertocci & Schechter, 1991;Humphrey & Humphrey, 1989). Clearly, gender differences in adults who were adopted warrant further examination.…”

Section: Adoption Quarterlymentioning

confidence: 89%

See 1 more Smart Citation

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

Miiller¹,

Gibbs²,

Ariely³

2002

Adoption Quarterly

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Section: Adoption Experiencecontrasting

confidence: 85%

Section: Adoption Quarterlymentioning

confidence: 89%

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

Miiller¹,

Gibbs²,

Ariely³

2002

Adoption Quarterly

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“…The inclusion of non-seeking adoptees in the present sample therefore contributes to an understudied subsample of the adoptee population (Bertocci & Schechter, 1991). This study is also significant because few other studies follow a group of adoptees and their families across the major transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since most of these studies used convenience samples it is not clear whether this is indicative of a gender difference in the rate of information seeking in the general adoptee population (Bertocci & Schechter, 1991) or whether women who seek information are more likely to participate in research studies on information seeking.…”

Section: What Is Information Seeking?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Adoption Communicative Openness in Information Seeking Among Adoptees From Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood

Skinner-Drawz

Wrobel

Grotevant

et al. 2011

Journal of Family Communication

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Adoption Communicative Openness was examined as a predictor of information seeking from adolescence to emerging adulthood in a group of adoptees who did not have direct contact with birth relatives during adolescence. Changes in information seeking intentions and behaviors between adolescence and emerging adulthood were also examined. Data from 119 infant-placed adoptees and their adoptive mothers were used from Waves 2 (1996–2000) and 3 (2005–2008) of the Minnesota-Texas Adoption Research Project (Grotevant & McRoy, 1998). Adoptive mothers’ Communicative Openness was positively associated with degree of information seeking in emerging adulthood. Degree of information seeking between adolescence (Wave 2) and emerging adulthood (Wave 3) increased for the majority of adoptees (62.2%). Approximately 16% of adoptees experienced no change in information seeking and 22% of adoptees experienced a decrease in information seeking. Females were more likely to exhibit a greater increase in information seeking change between Waves 2 and 3 and information seeking at Wave 3 than males. Results suggest that adoptee information seeking is a dynamic process that takes place over several life stages and that open communication about adoption within the adoptive family supports adoptee information seeking.

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“…This case illustrates how attachment concerns (Bertocci & Schechter, 1991) can be manifested during adulthood. Alicia's struggles with intimacy and with vulnerability had become ingrained, but therapy, insight, and support were integral to her willingness to seek change.…”

Section: Case Study 4: Psychological Adjustmentmentioning

confidence: 92%

Counseling Adopted Persons in Adulthood

Baden

Wiley²

2007

The Counseling Psychologist

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For the past 50 years, adults who were adopted during infancy have been research participants for empirical studies with goals ranging from twin studies for heritability, to adjustment following adoption, to attachment. While the research body is broad, it has given little attention to counseling practices with adopted adults. Because empirical research and clinical practice can inform each other, this article integrates literatures in both areas so that counseling practice with adopted adults can guide research, just as research guides practice. The authors grouped the clinically relevant literature into three main areas: identity (including genealogical and transracial adoption issues), search and reunion, and long-term outcomes. Within each section, the authors critiqued the literature as it informs counseling practice, used case studies to depict clinical implications, and suggested treatment strategies for use with adult adoptees. Epidemiological research found adequate adjustment for adopted adults. However, clinicians and researchers must address the consistent finding that a subset of adoptees struggles and copes with issues different than their nonadopted counterparts. The authors identify best clinical practices and a future research agenda related to adult adoptees and propose an adoption-sensitive paradigm for research and practice.

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Adopted adults’ perception of their need to search: Implications for clinical practice

Cited by 26 publications

References 18 publications

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

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

The Role of Adoption Communicative Openness in Information Seeking Among Adoptees From Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood

Counseling Adopted Persons in Adulthood

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