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Degree

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Nursing, 1990.

Abstract

There are at least 10 million women in this country who have placed an infant for adoption, yet these women and their experiences have been little studied. Indeed, a shroud of mystery, secrecy, and stigma remains. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to (a) clarify the nature of loss as experienced in birthmothers searching their adopted children; (b) describe responses associated with this type loss; and (c) identify factors related to such loss which have implications for guiding nursing practice. Fifteen such birthmothers from Cleveland, OH; Salt Lake City, UT; and Santa Barbara, CA comprised the volunteer study sample. Semistructured interviews, field notes, and telephone interview constituted the research tools. Hermeneutic analysis was used to extract themes from collected data. Results indicated that loss experienced through separation continued and intensified regardless of length of time since infant placement. Birthmothers collectively experienced pain, longing, and anger. Grieving and bereavement manifestations shared similarities with loss through death. Unique features of separation loss included persistence of response and need for resolving ambiguity. Other results indicated high rate of infertility, depression, and chronic health problems. F indings of this study mandate need for support groups, adoption reform, long term counseling for placement and loss experience, and establishing climate in which secrecy, shame, and stigma no longer exist.

Keywords

Separation loss birthmothers

Advisor

Claire M. Andrews

Pages

200p.

Document number: case1054662211
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1054662211

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