Crafting Identity out of Uncertainty: Narratives of Israeli Adults Adopted as Infants

被引:1
作者
Lotan, Limor [1 ,2 ]
Greenbaum, Charles W. W. [1 ]
Haj-Yahia, Muhammad M. M. [1 ]
机构
[1] Hebrew Univ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
[2] Acad Field partnerships, Ctr Pedag Res, POB 653, IL-8410500 Beer Sheva, Israel
关键词
Adoption; identity; uncertainty; stigma; narrative identity risk and resilience; AMBIGUOUS LOSS; SOCIAL STIGMA; BIRTH; SEARCH; SENSE; SELF; ADJUSTMENT; CHILDREN; REUNION; LIFE;
D O I
10.1080/10926755.2023.2245388
中图分类号
C916 [社会工作、社会管理、社会规划];
学科分类号
1204 ;
摘要
The present qualitative study examined the identity of 24 adults adopted as infants in Israel in closed adoptions who searched for their biological families. Previous research has shown that adoption-related uncertainty (ARU) may be characteristic of adoptees. Based on Erikson's (1968) theory of identity formation and the concept of narrative identity (McAdams, 2011), we investigated how ARU relates to participants' sense of identity. Based on the risk and resilience approach (Garmezy, 1991), we conceptualized ARU as a risk factor for identity formation and identified protective factors in the personal and social domains. Results showed that all participants experienced ARU regarding some major identity components. The analysis revealed two basic styles of coping with ARU: Limiting, in which adoption issues are avoided, and Expanding, in which they are dealt with more openly. We discussed the study's limitations and implications for future research and practice.
引用
收藏
页码:95 / 123
页数:29
相关论文
共 70 条