ADOPTIVE FAMILY SYSTEM DYNAMICS - VARIATIONS BY LEVEL OF OPENNESS IN THE ADOPTION

This study examines the consequences of variations in levels of openne ss in adoption, especially focusing on the dynamics of the adoptive fa mily system from the perspective of the adoptive parents. Participants included the father, mother, and at least one adopted child in 190 ad optive families, and 169 birthmothers, drawn from adoption agencies ac ross the United States. Families included 62 confidential, 17 time-lim ited mediated, 52 ongoing mediated, and 59 fully disclosed adoptions. When compared to parents in confidential adoptions, those in open adop tions generally demonstrated higher levels of acknowledgment of the ad option, empathy toward the birthparents and their child, a stronger se nse of permanence in the relationship with their child as projected in to the future, and less fear that the birthmother might try to reclaim her child. Despite these mean differences, variations within all leve ls of openness were present, and results are discussed in terms of the ongoing process involved in building a family through adoption.