Theorising the Racial Identity Development of Transracial Adoptees: A Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
This British study examined racial identity among adults adopted transracially as children. Qualitative accounts collected in 2000–2003 were analysed using a symbolic interactionist approach. The article describes how family differences, other people’s racial categorisation and experiences of inclusion and exclusion shaped identities combining birth and adoptive heritages.
Limitations: The abstract describes a small sample without giving its size. Findings concern particular transracial adoption histories; the regional recruitment breakdown is not stated. The study is related to Patel’s doctoral research and should not be treated as independent replication. 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
- Qualitative study
- Source reviewed
- Abstract
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Age group
- Adults
Study context and review
Age group as recorded: Adults
Adoption context: Mixed adoption pathways
Programme: Patel British transracial adoptee life-history study
Institutional context: Adoption-sector advocacy/service organisation
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.
Relationship identified. Bibliographic relationships are not a bias or safety rating.
Topics: adoptee voice, identity, race, transracial adoption
Review scope: Source checked: Abstract. This does not imply full-text or independent human verification.
Country as recorded: United Kingdom
- Funding
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Commissioner
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Funder role
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Declared conflicts
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Recruitment
- Not yet checked for this entry
- Adoptee involvement
- Not yet checked for this entry
Entry: study_7b7d9b38d0b2866e