Adoption, attachment and relationship concerns: a study of adult adoptees

Article

Feeney, Judith A., Passmore, Nola L. and Peterson, Candida C.. 2007. "Adoption, attachment and relationship concerns: a study of adult adoptees." Personal Relationships. 14 (1), pp. 129-147. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2006.00145.x
Article Title

Adoption, attachment and relationship concerns: a study of adult adoptees

ERA Journal ID6551
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsFeeney, Judith A. (Author), Passmore, Nola L. (Author) and Peterson, Candida C. (Author)
Journal TitlePersonal Relationships
Journal Citation14 (1), pp. 129-147
Number of Pages19
Year2007
Place of PublicationMalden, MA, USA
ISSN1350-4126
1475-6811
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2006.00145.x
Web Address (URL)https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2006.00145.x
Abstract

Given ongoing controversy regarding the psychosocial adjustment of adoptees, this study examined the impact of adoptive status and family experiences on adult attachment security, and the role of attachment in predicting relationship outcomes. Adults who were adopted as infants (N = 144), and a comparison sample of non-adoptees (N = 131), completed measures of attachment security at recruitment and again six months later; other measures assessed parental bonding and adoptees’ reunion experiences (Time 1), and relationship variables (e.g., loneliness, relationship quality; Time 2). Insecurity was higher for adoptees and for those reporting negative childhood relationships with parents. For adoptees only, recent relationship difficulties also predicted insecurity. Attachment dimensions were more important than adoptive status in predicting relationship variables, and mediated the effects of adoptive status. The results support the utility of attachment theory in understanding adoptees’ relationship concerns.

Keywordsadoptees; adoption; romantic relationships; attachment; intimacy; loneliness
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520599. Social and personality psychology not elsewhere classified
520399. Clinical and health psychology not elsewhere classified
441001. Applied sociology, program evaluation and social impact assessment
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Queensland
Department of Psychology
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9y416/adoption-attachment-and-relationship-concerns-a-study-of-adult-adoptees

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted Version
Feeney_Passmore_Peterson_2007_Authorversion_Embargo_till_May_2009.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 3369
    total views
  • 6079
    total downloads
  • 3
    views this month
  • 43
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Parental bonding and religiosity as predictors of dispositional forgiveness
Passmore, Nola L., Rea, Vivienne C., Fogarty, Bronwyn T. and Zelakiewicz, Pualani M. L.. 2009. "Parental bonding and religiosity as predictors of dispositional forgiveness." Voudouris, Nicholas and Mrowinski, Vicky (ed.) 44th Australian Psychological Society Annual Conference 2009. Darwin, Australia 30 Sep - 04 Oct 2009 Melbourne, Australia.
Religious issues in counselling: are Australian psychologists 'dragging the chain'?
Passmore, Nola L.. 2003. "Religious issues in counselling: are Australian psychologists 'dragging the chain'?" Australian Psychologist. 38 (3), pp. 183-192. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050060310001707197
Adoption and the Father Heart of God: helping adoptees deal With issues of identity and loss
Passmore, Nola L.. 2004. "Adoption and the Father Heart of God: helping adoptees deal With issues of identity and loss ." Journal of Psychology and Christianity. 23 (2), pp. 165-175.
Depression, emotional arousability, and perceptions of parenting in adult adoptees and non-adoptees
Passmore, Nola L., Feeney, Judith A., Peterson, Candida C. and Shimmaki, Kumiyo. 2006. "Depression, emotional arousability, and perceptions of parenting in adult adoptees and non-adoptees." Adoption Quarterly. 9 (2/3), pp. 23-35. https://doi.org/10.1300/J145v09n02_02
Parental bonding and identity style as correlates of self-esteem among adult adoptees and nonadoptees
Passmore, Nola L., Fogarty, Gerard J., Bourke, Carolyn J. and Baker-Evans, Sandra F.. 2005. "Parental bonding and identity style as correlates of self-esteem among adult adoptees and nonadoptees." Family Relations. 54 (4), pp. 523-534. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2005.00338.x
Adoption, adult attachment security, and relationship outcomes
Foulstone, Alexis R., Feeney, Judith A. and Passmore, Nola L.. 2005. "Adoption, adult attachment security, and relationship outcomes." Bowles, Terry (ed.) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (2004). Melbourne, Australia 12 - 13 Nov 2005 Melbourne, Australia.
Forgiveness and interpersonal skills in same-sexed friendships
Passmore, Nola L., Fogarty, Bronwyn T., Conroy, Kathleen L., Zelakiewicz, Pualani M. L. and Rea, Vivienne C.. 2010. "Forgiveness and interpersonal skills in same-sexed friendships." Djokic, Tatjana (ed.) PORIG 2010: Building Resilience through Personal, Family and Community Relationships. Brisbane, Australia 06 - 07 Nov 2010 Melbourne, Australia.
Birth fathers' perspectives on reunions with their relinquished children
Passmore, Nola L. and Coles, Gary. 2009. "Birth fathers' perspectives on reunions with their relinquished children." Hazelwood, Zoe J. (ed.) 9th Annual Conference of the Australian Psychological Society's Psychology of Relationships Interest Group: Connecting Research and Practice in Relationships. Brisbane, Australia 07 - 08 Nov 2009 Melbourne, Australia.
Reunions of adoptees who have met both birth parents: post-reunion relationships and factors that facilitate and hinder the reunion process
Passmore, Nola L. and Feeney, Judith A.. 2009. "Reunions of adoptees who have met both birth parents: post-reunion relationships and factors that facilitate and hinder the reunion process." Adoption Quarterly. 12 (2), pp. 100-119. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926750902978865
Female adoptees' perceptions of contact with their birth fathers: satisfactions and dissatisfactions with the process
Passmore, Nola L. and Chipuer, Heather M.. 2009. "Female adoptees' perceptions of contact with their birth fathers: satisfactions and dissatisfactions with the process." American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 79 (1), pp. 93-102. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014954
Openness and secrecy in adoptive families and possible effects on the interpersonal relationships of adult adoptees
Passmore, Nola L., Foulstone, Alexis R. and Feeney, Judith A.. 2006. "Openness and secrecy in adoptive families and possible effects on the interpersonal relationships of adult adoptees." Bowles, Terry (ed.) 6th Annual Conference of the APS Psychology of Relationships Interest Group: Relationships Near and Far. Melbourne, Australia 11 - 12 Nov 2006 Melbourne, Australia.
Do Christian concepts and principles have a place in academia? A case study in integration
Passmore, Nola L.. 2007. "Do Christian concepts and principles have a place in academia? A case study in integration." Moore, Kate (ed.) 42nd Australian Psychological Society Annual Conference 2007. Brisbane, Australia 25 - 29 Sep 2007 Melbourne, Australia.
Helping adults who were adopted as children
Passmore, Nola L.. 2007. "Helping adults who were adopted as children." 3rd International Conference on Post Adoption Services (ACTION). Massachucetts, United States 19 - 21 Feb 2007
Secrecy within adoptive families and its impact on adult adoptees
Passmore, Nola, Feeney, Judy and Foulstone, Alex. 2007. "Secrecy within adoptive families and its impact on adult adoptees." Family Relationships Quarterly.
Adoptees' relationship experiences post-reunion: exploring the effects of interactions with biological relatives
Passmore, Nola, Foulstone, Alexis and Feeney, Judith. 2006. "Adoptees' relationship experiences post-reunion: exploring the effects of interactions with biological relatives." Wilkinson, Ross and Pearce, Zoe (ed.) 6th Annual Conference of the APS Psychology of Relationships Interest Group: Relationships Near and Far. Melbourne, Australia 11 - 12 Nov 2006 Oxford, United Kingdom . https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530600940020
Relationships between adult attachment style, adoptee's motives for searching, and reunion satisfaction with birthmothers
Passmore, Nola L., Feeney, Judith A. and Peterson, Candida C.. 2005. "Relationships between adult attachment style, adoptee's motives for searching, and reunion satisfaction with birthmothers." Bowles, Terry (ed.) Australian Psychology Society's Psychology of Relationships Interest Group 5th Annual Conference 2004. Melbourne, Australia 12 - 13 Nov 2005 Melbourne, Australia.