Date of Award
12-2023
Degree Type
Creative Project
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Communication Studies and Philosophy
Committee Chair(s)
Syndey Oshay
Committee
Sydney Oshay
Committee
Tim Curran
Committee
Nicole Allen
Abstract
Discourse in adoptive families is how families create relationships and familial identity. This literature review addresses how parents talk to adoptees and the negative and positive outcomes of these conversations. Parents discuss entrance stories, word choice, and privacy management with their adopted children. When parents are open with adoptees, adoptees are better adjusted and have a strong sense of identity. Parents who had good quality conversations with their children saw children who had a stronger sense of belonging. When parents withhold information, adoptees developed anxious and avoidant attachment styles. Adoptees also felt betrayed and lost trust in their adopted parents. With these findings, future adoption researchers and practitioners should work to expand which participants are included in adoption studies and disseminate the information to the lay public.
Recommended Citation
Kent, Abigial, "Parent-Child Communication About Adoption From the Adopted Child's Perspective: A Literature Review" (2023). All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present. 6.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports2023/6
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