Adoption and Identity Experiences Among Adult Transnational Adoptees: A Qualitative Study

Darnell, Farnad J.; Johansen, Ayna B.; Tavakoli, Shedeh; Brugnone, Nikki A.

doi:10.1080/10926755.2016.1217574

Cited by 19 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(23 reference statements)

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“…The findings in our systematic review reflects that the field of adoption is relatively young with limited research in other areas of adoption as well (e.g., clinical work with adult adoptees). There are, for example, few validated assessment tools for measuring attachment in adopted children, especially in older children (Kerr & Cossar, 2014), and, based on adult adoptees experiences, there is a need to address issues such as their acceptance of adoption or adoption identify, for which there are few, if any, tools for clinicians to work with (Darnell, Johansen, Tavakoli, & Brugnone, 2017). Many adoption studies have thus far focused more on basic research such as adoptees' and adoptive parents' adjustment to adoption or their physical or mental health (see e.g., Askeland, Hysing, Aarø, Tell, & Sivertsen, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Courses, Training, and Interventions for Adoptive Parents

et al. 2017

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Adoption requires thorough preparations prior to the arrival of the child and support post-adoption among parents, to promote a positive parent-child relationship and healthy family functioning. The purpose of our study was, therefore, to systematically review the literature on pre-and post-adoption interventions for caregivers, and determine the possibility for conducting a meta-analysis. We searched 12 electronic databases and identified 7 574 references that were considered for inclusion by two independent raters. Articles meeting the following criteria were retrieved in full-text; studies that examined the effects of (a) a pre-and/or post-adoption intervention, (b) against a comparator (including quasi-experimental studies), and (c) report on outcomes for parents. Finally, we included 10 studies that met our inclusion criteria and which were assessed in terms of reported intervention effects and study quality using Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool. All studies were associated with a high risk of bias in at least one out of seven domains and unclear reporting on several domains. Eight studies examined intervention effects related to interpersonal functioning; three of which found positive effects.In addition, three studies investigated effects on parenting and stress, respectively; however, only one study demonstrated effects on parenting and none on parental stress. Overall, the study designs, interventions, and results were characterized by substantial heterogeneity, making a meta-analysis unfeasible. In conclusion, the results from the included studies in our review does not point in any particular direction. The most consistent finding across studies was the lack of studies on pre-adoption interventions, and poor design and unclear reporting. Consequently, future studies should evaluate pre-adoption interventions, and need to use more rigorous design, transparent and comprehensible reporting, as well as more homogenous interventions and methods, to move the field forward in support of adoptive parents.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Courses, Training, and Interventions for Adoptive Parents

et al. 2017

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“…Historically, advice to adoptive parents has encouraged them to tell adoptees that they are 'chosen' and consequently 'special' (Raymond, 1955). In their qualitative research, Darnell et al (2017) found many of the adults they interviewed identified as 'chosen'. For some, this came with a sense of pride at being adopted which helped to mitigate some of the 'stigmas'.…”

Section: The Adoption Experience and Potential Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Finding my voice: A qualitative exploration into the perceived impact of person‐centred counsellor training upon counsellors who were adopted as a baby

Parkes

Mintz

2021

Couns and Psychother Res

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This small-scale qualitative study explored how qualified person-centred counsellors who were adopted as a baby perceived the impact of their person-centred counselling training. The study focused on the adoptees' experiences of adoption and how these influenced their experience of person-centred counselling training. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to gain insight into how the participants made sense of their lived experience. The findings supported the difficulties associated with adoption, which not only are present in existing literature and research but also placed an emphasis on the particular vulnerabilities associated with being adopted as a baby. The findings further highlighted the positive impact of person-centred counselling training on the participants' personal development, which included the following: increased self-awareness, self-acceptance, identity development and 'having a voice'. The findings confer implications for clinical practice in understanding the experience of adoptees who were adopted as a baby and for trainers in the planning and provision of person-centred training. The research also identifies the healing aspects of person-centred counselling training, which facilitated the participants' positive self-development. In addition, unique opportunities for counsellors who were also adopted as a baby are suggested and the need for the Adoption Support Fund to be extended to allow an adoptee of any age to access therapeutic support is also identified. The links made between adoption and person-centred training are an original area of research and are worthy of further exploration.

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“…They may be unaware that they are at high-risk for a condition and eligible for disease prevention interventions limiting healthcare providers’ abilities to appropriately manage these patients’ disease risks 4 5. Adoptees are a unique population in which their group identity is defined by their adopted status 6. Group identity, which is determined by group memberships, contributes to an individual’s social identity, or sense of self 7.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adopted individuals’ interest in elective genomic testing

et al. 2020

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PurposeAdoptees are a population that could benefit from genetic testing to fill gaps in family health history (FHH). Elective genomic testing (EGT) provides adoptees with clinical genetic testing options to learn about genetic health risks in the absence of FHH. We assessed adoptees’ interests in, motivations for and perceived utility of EGT.MethodsAdult adoptees and non-adoptees completed an anonymous, online survey regarding their interest and motivations for EGT, perceived utility of potential results and willingness to pay for EGT. A validated measure of social identity was included to measure the effects of social identity on testing interest.ResultsThere were 112 adoptees and 229 non-adoptees included in the study. Adoptees reported greater interest in EGT (OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.2 to 11.3) than non-adoptees. They were motivated by curiosity and a desire to learn information about risks to children and grandchildren more than non-adoptees. Adoptees with higher education and non-adoptees with higher incomes were significantly more likely to spend more on EGT. Adoptees with higher incomes and non-adoptees with higher education were not significantly more likely to spend more. Social identity was a significant mediator between adoption and testing motivation.ConclusionUnderstanding adoptees’ unique motivations and interests in EGT will allow healthcare providers to better address the informational needs and desires of this population. Social identity provides a foundation for recognising adoptees’ universal experiences that influence motivations for genetic testing.

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Adoption and Identity Experiences Among Adult Transnational Adoptees: A Qualitative Study

Cited by 19 publications

References 30 publications

A Systematic Review of Courses, Training, and Interventions for Adoptive Parents

A Systematic Review of Courses, Training, and Interventions for Adoptive Parents

Finding my voice: A qualitative exploration into the perceived impact of person‐centred counsellor training upon counsellors who were adopted as a baby

Adopted individuals’ interest in elective genomic testing

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