Identity Formation in Children and Young People in Open Adoptions from Out-of-home Care in New South Wales,Australia |
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| Authors: | Betty Luu Marc de Rosnay Amy Conley Wright Susan Tregeagle |
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| Affiliation: | 1. University of Wollongong, Faculty of Social Sciences, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia;2. The University of Sydney, Institute of Open Adoption Studies, Sydney School of Education and Social Work, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;3. Barnardos Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;4. The University of Sydney, School of Education and Social Work, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Semi-structured interviews were used to explore identity development for nine adoptees (aged 9–23 years) who were adopted by their foster carers in New South Wales, Australia. Adoptions were open, with court-ordered face-to-face contact with birth families. Findings suggest that participants had healthy adoptive identities, with coherent and meaningful narratives about their life histories. Adoption provided a sense of security and belonging. Openness provided information to build a self-narrative and encouraged discussion of adoption issues within adoptive families. Adoptive parents were critical in helping children understand their adoption and facilitating direct contact with birth families, thus laying foundations for positive identity development. |
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| Keywords: | Open adoption foster care identity formation contact permanency |
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