Journal article
Female Adoptees' Experiences Balancing Relationships With Biological and Adoptive Mothers Post-Reunification
Journal of marital and family therapy, v 39(3), pp 358-372
01 Jul 2013
PMID: 25059302
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Using a feminist postmodern perspective and the sensitizing concept of split loyalties from Contextual Theory, the primary purpose of this qualitative study was to develop a better understanding of how adult female adoptees from closed adoptions negotiate relationships with their adoptive and biological mothers post-reunion. We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with nine adult female adoptees, ages 28-52, who were adopted prior to the age of two. Six were Caucasian, three were African American, and the average age at reunion was 29. Grounded theory techniques were used to code the qualitative data, in particular the constant comparative method of analysis. Four main categories emerged: (a) Negotiating Mother-Daughter Relationships, (b) Relating to Mothers Equitably, (c) Loyalty, and (d) Adoptees' Emotional Needs. Our findings suggest the adoptive mother-daughter relationship has a salient effect on adoptees' relationships with biological mothers post-reunion. Loyalty to the adoptive mother seems to influence the evolving relationship and closeness displayed toward the birth mother. Adult female adoptees from closed adoptions described struggling with managing their two mother-daughter relationships and need clinical help addressing their own emotional needs.
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Details
- Title
- Female Adoptees' Experiences Balancing Relationships With Biological and Adoptive Mothers Post-Reunification
- Creators
- Angelle Richardson - Thomas Jefferson UniversityMaureen P. Davey - Drexel UniversityPhyllis A. Swint - Thomas Jefferson University
- Publication Details
- Journal of marital and family therapy, v 39(3), pp 358-372
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 15
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Counseling and Family Therapy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000321824700007
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84880509942
- Other Identifier
- 991019167789404721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Family Studies
- Psychology, Clinical