LilMtnCbn
05-17-2004, 06:22 AM
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=7967
Study into adoption's effects
07:56 AEST Sun May 16 2004
Adopted children who were supported by their adoptive families in the search
for their natural parents were more likely to be happy and well adjusted than
those who go it alone, researchers believe.
University of Queensland PHD student Alex Foulstone, who is heading a study on
adoptees' happiness and well-being, said a major part of its focus would centre
on the experiences faced by adoptees who had decided to seek out their birth
parents.
He said whether the adoptee's experience in searching for biological family had
been positive appeared to stem from a few main factors - whether they had
support from romantic partners or friends and whether they had the approval of
their adopted parents.
"Generally we are finding so far it seems that adoptive parents that do support
the decision, whether it is to search or not to search, the experience is
generally a lot more positive," he said.
Mr Foulstone said adoptive families could sometimes feel threatened by an
adoptee's decision to search for their biological family - prompting some
adoptees to hide their search altogether.
He said the issue of knowing or not knowing one's birth family had now also
become a medical issue.
"A lot of illnesses related to aging are related to genetics, so some people
(adoptees) want to find their birth relatives and discover if there is any
family history," Mr Foulstone said.
He said the study would involve three stages - two questionnaires and an
interview session designed to examine relationships and experiences.
Delving into the minds of about 140 adoptees and a likewise control sample, Mr
Foulstone said the results would offer a unique insight into the issues faced
by adoptees and the implications of the adoption process.
Mr Foulstone said the way in which adoptees found out that they were adopted
also appeared to play a major part in their adjustment and happiness.
He said it was much better for an adoptee to find out up front from their
parents, than to risk finding out through a school friend in a schoolyard taunt
or by an indiscreet relative.
Mr Foulstone said some romantic partners and family members had used the study
participant's adoptee status against them in arguments, which was also
detrimental to happiness and adjustment.
He said although researchers in the United States had conducted several studies
on adoption, this was the first to examine the experience of Australian
adoptees.
-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown
Study into adoption's effects
07:56 AEST Sun May 16 2004
Adopted children who were supported by their adoptive families in the search
for their natural parents were more likely to be happy and well adjusted than
those who go it alone, researchers believe.
University of Queensland PHD student Alex Foulstone, who is heading a study on
adoptees' happiness and well-being, said a major part of its focus would centre
on the experiences faced by adoptees who had decided to seek out their birth
parents.
He said whether the adoptee's experience in searching for biological family had
been positive appeared to stem from a few main factors - whether they had
support from romantic partners or friends and whether they had the approval of
their adopted parents.
"Generally we are finding so far it seems that adoptive parents that do support
the decision, whether it is to search or not to search, the experience is
generally a lot more positive," he said.
Mr Foulstone said adoptive families could sometimes feel threatened by an
adoptee's decision to search for their biological family - prompting some
adoptees to hide their search altogether.
He said the issue of knowing or not knowing one's birth family had now also
become a medical issue.
"A lot of illnesses related to aging are related to genetics, so some people
(adoptees) want to find their birth relatives and discover if there is any
family history," Mr Foulstone said.
He said the study would involve three stages - two questionnaires and an
interview session designed to examine relationships and experiences.
Delving into the minds of about 140 adoptees and a likewise control sample, Mr
Foulstone said the results would offer a unique insight into the issues faced
by adoptees and the implications of the adoption process.
Mr Foulstone said the way in which adoptees found out that they were adopted
also appeared to play a major part in their adjustment and happiness.
He said it was much better for an adoptee to find out up front from their
parents, than to risk finding out through a school friend in a schoolyard taunt
or by an indiscreet relative.
Mr Foulstone said some romantic partners and family members had used the study
participant's adoptee status against them in arguments, which was also
detrimental to happiness and adjustment.
He said although researchers in the United States had conducted several studies
on adoption, this was the first to examine the experience of Australian
adoptees.
-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown
