When people adopted from severely depriving institutions become parents: The experiences of young adult mothers from the ERA study and their adoptive parents

When people adopted from severely depriving institutions become parents: The experiences of young adult mothers from the ERA study and their adoptive parents

Christopher Edwards, Mark Kennedy, Nicky Knights, Hanna Kovshoff, Jana Kreppner, Barbara Maughan, Edmund JS Sonuga-Barke · Adoption & Fostering

Researchers analysed accounts from 14 young adult mothers adopted into the UK after severe Romanian institutional deprivation, alongside accounts from their adoptive parents. Becoming a parent brought fulfilment, motivation and relationships with biological relatives. Reported challenges included risk appraisal and organising daily activities; practical and emotional support from adoptive grandparents was often described as helpful.

Limitations: This concerns adoptees’ own parenthood, with additional adoptive-parent accounts distinguished from their testimony. The small selected group of women experienced extreme institutional deprivation and is not representative of all adoptees. Participants overlap with other ERA publications. 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