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Adoptive Identity: Emerging Adult International Adoptees’ Narrative Coherence Following Early Institutional Care

Highland, Samuel Vladimir
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2747-1075
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1607043824349026

Abstract Details

2021, Psy. D., Antioch University, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology.
It is well established that, while all orphanages are not equally harsh, none can provide the quality of care found in most homes. The depriving circumstances of many such institutions often leads to lingering delays across social, emotional, cognitive, psychological, and physical domains of development. However, for many international adoptees there is evidence of resilience and catch-up growth across these same domains following adoption. Adoptive identity theory provides the framework for this qualitative exploration assessing the degree of coherence among six previously-institutionalized (PI) international adoptees’ narratives about the meaning and role of adoption in their lives as emerging adults. Adoptive identity theory has been applied to domestic adoptions; the model successfully predicts adopted adolescents’ psychological adjustment as emerging adults. This dissertation addresses a knowledge gap, looking at the applicability of adoptive identity theory as it relates to international adoptees who have lived in an orphanage. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to examine participants’ individual perspectives on the impact of beginning life in an orphanage on their post-adoption life. Four super-ordinate clusters emerged from the interview data: (a) Missing Pieces of the Adoption Story, (b) Influential People in an International Adoptees’ Life, (c) Complexities Faced by International Adoptees, and (d) The Meaning of Shared Culture, Family, and Friends for International Adoptees. The results are discussed in conjunction with the existing adoption literature with the intention of informing clinical practice with this population.
Martha B. Straus, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Susan Hawes, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Gina Pasquale, Psy.D. (Committee Member)
116 p.
Clinical Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Mental Health; Psychology
international adoption; institutional care; orphanage; adoptive identity theory

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Highland, S. V. (2021). Adoptive Identity: Emerging Adult International Adoptees’ Narrative Coherence Following Early Institutional Care [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1607043824349026

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Highland, Samuel. Adoptive Identity: Emerging Adult International Adoptees’ Narrative Coherence Following Early Institutional Care. 2021. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1607043824349026.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Highland, Samuel. "Adoptive Identity: Emerging Adult International Adoptees’ Narrative Coherence Following Early Institutional Care." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1607043824349026

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1607043824349026
368
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This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.
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