Experiences of Family Relationships Among Donor-Conceived Families

Abstract

In this qualitative evidence synthesis, we explore how family relationships are experienced by parents who used gamete donation to conceive. We systematically searched four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ProQuest) for literature related to this topic and retrieved 25 studies. Through the analysis of the qualitative studies, a comprehensive synthesis and framework was constructed. Following the meta-ethnography approach of Noblit and Hare, four main themes were identified: (a) balancing the importance of genetic and social ties, (b) normalizing and legitimizing the family, (c) building strong family ties, and (d) minimizing the role of the donor. Underlying these four main themes, a sense of being "different" and "similar" at the same time was apparent. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for studying and counseling donor-conceived families.

Stepfamilies Doing Family: A Meta‐Ethnography

“…However, the dialectical tension identified in our synthesis seems to be different. In line with Wyverkens, Van Parys, and Buysse (2015), we identified a dialectical tension related to the societal perspectives about families. Stepfamily members compare themselves to the cultural ideal of the first-time family, wanting to be like one, but at the same time confronted with the distinctiveness of biological ties and the incomplete institutionalization of step-relationships (Cherlin, 1978), which makes them inherently different from the first-time family.…”

Relationships and boundaries between provider and recipient families following embryo adoption

“…From the beginning of this journey they are enmeshed in unfamiliar, complex and ambiguous relationships that they need to negotiate and define in ways that make sense to them and with which they can live. Successful accomplishment of this parenting project requires acknowledging and holding together the disparate elements of genetic, gestational and social parenting, and effective management of the dialectic tension of being both 'similar' and 'different' in comparison with other families (Wyverkens et al, 2015). Our study sheds light on how these unfamiliar relationships are negotiated, and how boundaries are drawn between close and extended family, and who becomes kin.…”

Family Secrecy in Family Therapy Practice: An Explorative Focus Group Study

“…The second way to “take action”, namely to reflect with the family on the secrecy and the choices one can make in the selective disclosure of sensitive information, seems to fit better with a more dialogical perspective as it builds on the concept of selective disclosure (Rober et al., ). By exploring the silences, the hesitations and the good reasons, therapists can create a space to talk about the dilemmas family members might face in contemplating the disclosure, or the partial disclosure of the sensitive information that was kept unspoken (e.g., Dalgaard & Montgomery, ; Wyverkens et al., ). In this dialogical space, the therapist can help the family members reflect on the essential questions that are involved in the process of selective disclosure: when to tell what, to whom (e.g., Rober et al., ; Wyverkens et al., ).…”

“…The issue of family secrecy is addressed with concepts such as “selective disclosure,” “gradual disclosure,” “partial disclosure,” and “modulated disclosure” (e.g. Dalgaard & Montgomery, ; Leask, Elford, Bor, Miller, & Johnson, ; Rober & Rosenblatt, ; Rober et al., ; Van Parys et al., ; Wyverkens, Van Parys, & Buysse, ). This perspective highlights that disclosure should be viewed not as a ‘once in a lifetime’ event but as an ongoing dialogical process in time (Indekeu et al., ; Rober et al., ), in which there are tensions and hesitations of the family members around openness and silence.…”