Reunions of adoptees who have met both birth parents: post-reunion relationships and factors that facilitate and hinder the reunion process

Article

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
Article Title

Reunions of adoptees who have met both birth parents: post-reunion relationships and factors that facilitate and hinder the reunion process

ERA Journal ID44434
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsPassmore, Nola L. (Author) and Feeney, Judith A. (Author)
Journal TitleAdoption Quarterly
Journal Citation12 (2), pp. 100-119
Number of Pages20
Year2009
Place of PublicationLondon, United Kingdom
ISSN1092-6755
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/10926750902978865
Abstract

Eighteen adoptees who had met both their birth mothers and birth fathers were surveyed in order to determine (a) the types of post-reunion relationships they developed with each birth parent and (b) the factors that facilitated or hindered their reunions. While adoptees were more likely to develop a personal rather than non-personal relationship with birth mothers, relationships with birth fathers were more evenly divided between personal and non-personal relationships. Thematic analysis revealed some similarities in the factors that influence reunions with each birth parent (e.g., birth parent characteristics, support from others), though some differences also emerged (e.g., reactions to pregnancy and relinquishment). Issues of kinship, identity, and family structure are discussed, along with implications for counseling.

Keywordsadoption; adoptees; birth mothers; birth fathers; birth parents; reunions; counseling
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520599. Social and personality psychology not elsewhere classified
520199. Applied and developmental psychology not elsewhere classified
441001. Applied sociology, program evaluation and social impact assessment
Byline AffiliationsDepartment of Psychology
University of Queensland
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