Reunions between Adoptees and Birth Parents: The Birth Parents' Experience

Silverman, Phyllis R.; Campbell, Lee; Patti, Patricia; Style, Carolyn Briggs

doi:10.1093/sw/33.6.523

Cited by 29 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Moreover, birth mothers who are involved in open adoption are more likely to feel assured of the child’s welfare because the direct contact they have with the adoptive parents typically fosters trust that their child is in a safe and caring home (Pannor & Baran, 1984). In contrast, closed adoptions are viewed as confining; birth mothers often feel isolated, have unresolved feeling of guilt and self-blame, and feel uncertain of the well-being of the child (DeSimone, 1996; Logan, 1996; Silverman, Campbell, Patti, & Style, 1988; Silverstein & Demick, 1994). Thus, greater certainty of the child’s well-being may not only alleviate the birth mother’s grief, but also may contribute to her sense of pride regarding the decision (Lancette & McClure, 1992).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Establishing supportive relationships outside of birth parents’ immediate social networks in the form of continued exchanges and contact may be especially important for their post–placement adjustment. Birth parents, particularly birth mothers, are often socially isolated after placement (DeSimone, 1996; Logan, 1996; Silverman et al, 1988; Silverstein & Demick, 1994). Although some limited evidence suggests that birth fathers found adoptions processes challenging (e.g., Baumann, 1999; Clapton, 2002; Deykin, Patti, & Ryan, 1988; Reitz & Watson, 1992), birth fathers also may benefit from having “weak ties” to the adoptive families.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Bridging the divide: Openness in adoption and postadoption psychosocial adjustment among birth and adoptive parents.

Ge¹,

Natsuaki²,

Martín³

et al. 2008

Journal of Family Psychology

102

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Using 323 matched parties of birth mothers and adoptive parents, this study examined the association between the degree of adoption openness (e.g., contact and knowledge between parties) and birth and adoptive parents’ post-adoption adjustment shortly after the adoption placement (6 to 9 months). Data from birth fathers (N=112), an understudied sample, also were explored. Openness was assessed by multiple informants. Results indicated that openness was significantly related to satisfaction with adoption process among adoptive parents and birth mothers. Increased openness was positively associated with birth mothers’ post-placement adjustment as indexed by birth mothers’ self reports and the interviewers’ impression of birth mothers’ adjustment. Birth fathers’ report of openness was associated with their greater satisfaction with the adoption process and better post-adoption adjustment.

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confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging the divide: Openness in adoption and postadoption psychosocial adjustment among birth and adoptive parents.

Ge¹,

Natsuaki²,

Martín³

et al. 2008

Journal of Family Psychology

102

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“…The current review focuses on adoptees' contact experience and does not take birth parents' (Gediman & Brown, 1991;Silverman, Campbell, Patti & Style, 1988) and adoptive parents' (Silverman, Campbell & Patti, 1994) perspectives into account. Describing the contact experience of birth parents and adoptive parents involves the analysis of experiential dimensions that are somewhat different from those of adopted persons, and constitutes a separate line of research.…”

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confidence: 99%

Adopted Persons' Search for and Contact with Their Birth Parents II

Müller¹,

Perry²

2001

Adoption Quarterly

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This article presents a review of empirical research on adult adoptees' contact with their birth parents. First, we will examine research concerning the stages and timing of search, the first meeting between adoptee and birth parent, the type of relationships that are established, and the factors that influence the adoptee-birth parent relationship. Next, we will summarize research that has examined how the contact affects adoptees. Finally, we will discuss research that has addressed the issue of how the contact affects the relationship between adoptees and adoptive parents. Implications of the empirical findings for adoption practice will be outlined.

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“…It is estimated that between two to four percent of adoptees will search for birth parents (Babb, 1996) with most searching specifically for their birth mothers (Moran, 1994). Prior studies have examined how adoptees experience reunifications with birth families (Howe & Feast, 2001; March, 1995, 1997; Petta & Steed, 2005; Sachdev, 1992; Silverman, Campbell, Patti, & Style, 1988). Long‐term outcomes following reunions between adult adoptees and their biological parents have suggested that after 8 years, 63% of adoptees still had contact with biological parents (Howe & Feast, 2001).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Long‐term outcomes following reunions between adult adoptees and their biological parents have suggested that after 8 years, 63% of adoptees still had contact with biological parents (Howe & Feast, 2001). Other studies (Silverman et al., 1988) explored birthmothers’ expectations of reunification with their biological children who were placed up for adoption and the experiences of adoptive parents during reunification of their adoptive children with their biological parents (e.g., Petta & Steed, 2005). While these studies have been beneficial, to date, no studies have examined the delicate task of negotiating relationships with two mothers post‐reunification, especially from the perspectives of adult female adoptees from closed adoptions.…”

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confidence: 99%

Female Adoptees’ Experiences Balancing Relationships With Biological and Adoptive Mothers Post‐Reunification

Richardson¹,

Davey²,

Swint³

2013

J Marital Family Therapy

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Using a feminist postmodern perspective and the sensitizing concept of split loyalties from Contextual Theory, the primary purpose of this qualitative study was to develop a better understanding of how adult female adoptees from closed adoptions negotiate relationships with their adoptive and biological mothers post-reunion. We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with nine adult female adoptees, ages 28-52, who were adopted prior to the age of two. Six were Caucasian, three were African American, and the average age at reunion was 29. Grounded theory techniques were used to code the qualitative data, in particular the constant comparative method of analysis. Four main categories emerged: (a) Negotiating Mother-Daughter Relationships, (b) Relating to Mothers Equitably, (c) Loyalty, and (d) Adoptees' Emotional Needs. Our findings suggest the adoptive mother-daughter relationship has a salient effect on adoptees' relationships with biological mothers post-reunion. Loyalty to the adoptive mother seems to influence the evolving relationship and closeness displayed toward the birth mother. Adult female adoptees from closed adoptions described struggling with managing their two mother-daughter relationships and need clinical help addressing their own emotional needs.

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Reunions between Adoptees and Birth Parents: The Birth Parents' Experience

Cited by 29 publications

References 3 publications

Bridging the divide: Openness in adoption and postadoption psychosocial adjustment among birth and adoptive parents.

Bridging the divide: Openness in adoption and postadoption psychosocial adjustment among birth and adoptive parents.

Adopted Persons' Search for and Contact with Their Birth Parents II

Female Adoptees’ Experiences Balancing Relationships With Biological and Adoptive Mothers Post‐Reunification

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