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
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