Reunions between adoptees and birth parents: the adoptees' experience.
One hundred fourteen adult adoptees who had reunions with their birth parents responded to a mail questionnaire about these reunions. Some had been found by their birth parent, and others had searched for this parent. Those who searched were stimulated to do so by a life-cycle transition, by a need to get background information, and by a need to complete their sense of identity. For most of these adoptees, their self-esteem improved and their relationship with their adoptive parents was strengthened as a result of the reunion. These respondents advocate open adoption and better preparation for the adoptive family about adoptees' need to connect with their birth families.
Campbell
L H
LH
Notre Dame College of Maryland, Baltimore 21210.
Silverman
P R
PR
Patti
P B
PB
D000293:Adolescent; D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires