Closed Adoption

Words: 2900
Pages: 12

Adoption Communication Openness and Attachment Dynamics In the last 25 years, adoptions have undergone a significant change, moving from mainly "closed" arrangements to almost completely open ones. Siegal & Smith. This shift reflects a greater understanding of the importance of transparent communication among the adoption triad, which consists of adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees. This research study is based on the theoretical framework of Adoption Communication Openness (ACO) and aims to examine the complex dynamics of communication between birth parents and adoptees, and how it affects the adoptee's relationship with their adoptive parents. ACO emphasizes the crucial role of maintaining connections and sharing information within …show more content…
This underscores the importance of open and supportive communication in aiding children's psychological adjustment and self-esteem. Similarly, research by Barroso, BarbosaDucharme, & Coelho (2018) shows that adoptive adolescents' feelings of their attachment relationships with adoptive parents are influenced by both the level of openness in the adoption and the quality of family communication about it. Open Adoption Vs. Closed Adoption Adoption practices can be classified into two models: open and closed adoption. These models differ in terms of communication and contact between the adoption triad- the adoptive parents, birth parents, and adopted …show more content…
This hypothesis underscores the significance of trust and emotional bonds forged through communication with birth parents in shaping adoptees' attachment to their adoptive family and their overall adjustment in the familial environment. Methods Participants will be recruited through domestic adoption agencies, support groups, online platforms catering to open adoption communities, and snowball sampling. Efforts will be made to ensure the sample includes a diverse population in terms of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. This study aims to recruit a minimum of 170 adoptees, aged 6 to 17 years, engaged in domestic open adoption arrangements with active contact between the adoptee and their birth parents. For this study, "active contact" is defined as any form of direct or indirect communication between the adoptee and their birth parents, such as face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, letters, emails, or social media interactions, occurring at least once per year. This criterion ensures that all participants maintain some level of ongoing relationship or connection with their birth parents. Eligibility criteria include: (1) being within the specified age range; (2) involvement in a domestic open adoption that includes active