Examining the Responses from Young Adults Who Were Adopted: Well-Being and Family Belonging

Background/Purpose: Permanency is a primary objective of the child welfare system; however, children adopted through the foster care system may face challenges to maintaining adoptive family well-being. Key factors associated with well-being include developing a sense of closeness and familial belonging. Previous studies have highlighted the sense of belonging as crucial in promoting family functioning. Yet, few studies have explored perspectives from both adoptees and adoptive parents regarding the sense of belonging and its relation to their family well-being. This study explores the sense of family and belonging among young adults and their adoptive parents. Young adults (YA; on average 24 years old) and their adoptive parents (AP), responded to questions about their adoption experience. Comparing results across responders provides insights into adoptive family well-being.

Methods. This study surveyed 383 adoptees and/or their adoptive parents about their sense of belonging. Belonging is measured by a set of questions, such as 'How much do you feel you belong in your family?' with responses ranging from 'a little' to 'very much. This study utilized two logistic regressions to examine separately the responses of adoptees and adoptive parents regarding their sense of family belonging. Finally, descriptive statistics were used to examine the source of support for the YA sample.

Results. The logistic regression analysis revealed that adoptees with higher scores in family functioning (b = .24, SE = .05, p < .01) were significantly more likely to report an increased sense of belonging. From adoptive parents’ perspectives, higher levels of nurturing and attachment significantly increased the odds of adoptees experiencing a greater sense of belonging (OR = 1.28, p < .01). Overall, YA reported that their sources of support came from: 35% reported their adoptive family and spouse or friends; 23% reported from adoptive and birth families and spouse or friends, and 15% reported from birth family and spouse or friends. However, when examined by just those YA who did not report a sense of familial belonging, their sources of support were largely birth family and spouses or friends (35%), followed by spouse or friends (neither birth or adoptive family support) (33%) and none of these groups (18%).

Conclusion/Implications: YA were, on average, 24 years old when responding to this study. This time is particularly important to YA with adoption experience. From a developmental perspective, during this period of transition to adulthood, many YA reconsider what it means to be part of their adoptive family. Understanding where YA may experience a sense of familial belonging and support is an important step in understanding unique experiences of YA who were adopted. YA shared important insights about their sources of support that can help practitioners and policymakers better prepare and support these families.