Lifelong Impact of Adoption

Adoption affects all triad members (adopted people, birth parents, adoptive parents) and other birth and family members throughout life. The resources in this section provide information on the lifelong impact of adoption, focusing on several common themes: identity formation, grief, and loss.

• Identity formation
• Coping with grief and loss

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Identity formation

Adolescent Identity and the Impact on Adoptive Parents (PDF - 149 KB)
National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning (2003)
Offers tips for parents of teens struggling with adoption issues, a list of organizations that provide information about adoption advocacy and public policy, and more.

Adoption and Youth: Critical Issues and Strengths-Based Programming to Address Them
Freeark (2006)
In Issues for Families, Schools, and Communities (The Crisis in Youth Mental Health: Critical Issues and Effective Programs, Volume 3)
View Abstract
Explores the tension between the resilience and vulnerability of adopted youth and highlights the factors that facilitate healthy exploration of an identity as an adopted person.

Adoption Issues From Six to Nine: Making Choices About Race, Culture, Ethnicity, and Identity
Cogen (2008)
In Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child: From Your First Hours Together through the Teen Years
View Abstract
Discusses specific identity issues faced by international adopted people when they are between the ages of 6 and 9 and provides recommendations for successful parenting techniques.

Adoption Issues From Ten to Twelve: Identity Challenged and Reinforced
Cogen (2008)
In Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child: From Your First Hours Together through the Teen Years
View Abstract
Explores specific identity issues faced by international adopted people when they are between the ages of 10 and 12. The challenge of coping with missing information is also discussed, as well as new information parents can supply, techniques for answering difficult questions, and ways to help children manage challenges to identity.

Adoption Issues In the Teen Years: Mixed Heritages, Fluid Identities
Cogen (2008)
In Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child: From Your First Hours Together through the Teen Years
View Abstract
Provides recommendations for discussing identity issues with teens and describes the WHOSE (Walk away, Humor, Off-topic, Share, Educate) approach for dealing with challenging comments or questions from outsiders.

Project Inclusion
Center for Family Connections (2006)
View Abstract and Document
Describes the activities of Project Inclusion, which was designed to establish and test best practices for promoting teens' positive identity development while supporting them in expressing and exploring their feelings. Project Inclusion targeted adolescents from complex blended families created through adoption, foster care, kinship, guardianship, or reproductive technology.

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Coping with grief and loss

Birth Fathers and Their Adoption Experiences
Clapton (2003)
View Abstract
Presents results from a study that explored the impact of adoption on birth fathers.

Coming to Terms With the Loss of a Child: The Feelings of Birth Parents and Grandparents About Adoption and Post-Adoption Contact
Neil
Adoption Quarterly, 10(1), 2006
View Abstract
Explores the impact of adoption on birth parents and birth grandparents.

Disruptions in Close Relationships: How They Affect a Child's Behavior, Thoughts, and Feelings (PDF - 190 KB)
University of Wisconsin - Extension Cooperative Extension (2003)
Examines different types of disruptions that may occur in a child's life, describes the stages of coping, and includes a chart illustrating the common reactions of children coping with separation and other major life changes.

Finding the Missing Pieces: Helping Adopted Children Cope With Grief and Loss
Adoption Learning Partners
Offers an online course to help adoptive families understand the feelings that children have about adoption and learn how to help their child express and deal with their feelings.

Grief and Open Adoption
Romanchik
Examines the impact of open adoption on birth parents and explores how openness can impact the grieving process.

Recognizing and Responding: Infant and Toddler Grief
National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children (2003)
View Abstract
Helps parents, caregivers, and professionals recognize the signs of infant and toddler grief and lists practical ways to reduce these reactions. This booklet can serve as a guide for adults supporting young children who may be suffering from separation or loss due to death, divorce, foster care, or adoption.

Separation and Loss Issues for Foster and Birth Families
Fahlberg (2003)
View Abstract
Explores the feelings of loss and separation experienced by children in foster care. Designed for social workers, foster parents, and birth parents, this 80-minute DVD includes interviews with teens, adults, and foster and birth parents dealing with loss issues.

Treating Trauma and Traumatic Grief in Children and Adolescents
Cohen, Mannarino, & Deblinger (2006)
View Abstract
Provides a framework for assessing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other trauma-related symptoms in children and adolescents and information on developing an individualized treatment plan.

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