The Importance of Cultural Identity in Adoption: A Study of Young People Adopted from Romania

The Importance of Cultural Identity in Adoption: A Study of Young People Adopted from Romania

Celia Beckett, Amanda Hawkins, Michael Rutter, Jenny Castle, Emma Colvert, Christine Groothues, Jana Kreppner, Suzanne Stevens, Edmund Sonuga-Barke · Adoption & Fostering

Researchers interviewed young people adopted from Romania at ages 11 and 15, alongside parent interviews at earlier and later assessments. Most identified as English or Anglo-Romanian and expressed interest in Romania. Interest in Romania was not associated with self-esteem; the small group identifying primarily as Romanian had lower self-esteem and more deprivation-related difficulties.

Limitations: The small identity subgroup and observational design do not establish that identity causes differences in wellbeing. Parent and young-person interviews provide distinct evidence. Findings concern a historical intercountry cohort, with overlapping participants across ERA papers. Publication relationship: this research was published by BAAF or in its Adoption & Fostering journal, now associated with CoramBAAF, an adoption-sector organisation. Publication does not establish that the organisation conducted the research; readers may take the institutional relationship into account.

Research type

Longitudinal study

Source reviewed

Abstract

Peer reviewed

Yes

Age group

Children / Adolescents