Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Emily Helder, Psychology

Document Type

Poster

Event Date

4-12-2024

Abstract

Adoptive parents commonly report religious motivations as a driver in their decision to adopt (Helder & Marr, 2020) and a small literature examines ways that adoptive parents use religious meaning-making to frame their experience as adoptive parents (Firmin, 2017). However, little research has examined the perspective of adult adoptees regarding memorable messages linking religion and adoption that they heard while growing up and the impact of these messages. Adoptees encounter microaggressions, when individuals make assumptions based on the adoptee's race, ethnicity, or background. This has a negative effect on the mental health of adoptees. The current study sought to identify the memorable messages that adoptees heard and identify the impact of these messages. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 41 adult adoptees raised in Christian homes, who had been adopted through private adoptions, foster care, and internationally (M age = 39.6 years + 10.3). Phronetic iterative analysis was conducted to identify themes present in the interviews regarding messages and the impact of these messages. Results revealed that adoptees were commonly told that it was God’s plan, they were rescued, a blessing, or chosen by God to be adopted. As children, the adoptees reported feeling anger or annoyance, shame or unworthiness, some had positive reactions, but others felt like they did not belong when they heard these messages. Common adult reactions included that the messages glossed over the traumatic experience, racial and ethnic differences, and loss that they had experienced through adoption. Religious messages about adoption can have significant impacts on adoptee’s identity development, relationships, and emotional well-being. This study represents an initial step in identifying relevant messages and the progression of sense-making that adult adoptees report experiencing.

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