title: Toward an organizational-relational model of open adoption.
abstract: Clinicians and social scientists have attempted to demonstrate the advisability of open versus closed adoption (communication and/or contact vs. no communication and/or contact between biological and adoptive parents) from a variety of theoretical perspectives. In our article, we seek a conceptual framework that will (a) elaborate how such divergent conclusions about openness versus confidentiality have heretofore been drawn, and (b) provide a comprehensive analysis of the behavior and experiences of all members of the adoption triad (birthparents, adoptive parents, adoptees). Employing structural aspects of organismic-developmental theory (Werner, 1957) and dynamic aspects of self-in-relation theory (Miller, 1976), we propose an organizational-relational approach to open adoption. Preliminary research findings are also provided.
authors.affiliation: Focus Counseling and Consultation Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Silverstein
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Demick
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D001601:Bereavement; D003219:Confidentiality; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014342:Truth Disclosure