A Review and Reformulation of Adoptive Relationships from an Attachment Perspective

Edens, John F.; Cavell, Timothy A.

doi:10.1300/j145v03n02_04

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Further, empirical research on the characteristics of the four styles supports this assertion (e.g., Feeney et al, 1994). These findings on the attachment characteristics of the samples support Hypothesis 1 and corroborate the suggestion that attachment theory provides a useful perspective on relationship issues that arise for adoptees, including loss, search, and reunion (Edens & Cavell, 1999).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Further, research in this area has lacked a strong theoretical framework. Some years ago, a theoretical paper by Edens and Cavell (1999) proposed the utility of attachment principles in the study of adoption. (Attachment refers to the affectional bond that characterizes many close relationships and that promotes a sense of comfort and security.)…”

Section: Adoption and Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Adoption, attachment, and relationship concerns: A study of adult adoptees

Feeney

Passmore

Peterson

2007

Personal Relationships

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Given ongoing controversy regarding the psychosocial adjustment of adoptees, this study examined the impact of adoptive status and family experiences on adult attachment security, and the role of attachment in predicting relationship outcomes. Adults who were adopted as infants (N = 144), and a comparison sample of nonadoptees (N = 131), completed measures of attachment security at recruitment and again six months later; other measures assessed parental bonding and adoptees' reunion experiences (Time 1), and relationship variables (e.g., loneliness, relationship quality; Time 2). Insecurity was higher for adoptees and for those reporting negative childhood relationships with parents. For adoptees only, recent relationship difficulties also predicted insecurity. Attachment dimensions were more important than adoptive status in predicting relationship variables, and mediated the effects of adoptive status. The results support the utility of attachment theory in understanding adoptees' relationship concerns. 3Consistent with the suggestion that adoption is a risk factor for general adjustment problems (Verrier, 1993), some studies have shown that adoptees are overrepresented in clinical groups (Wierzbicki, 1993), or fare worse than non-adoptees on variables such as self-esteem, depression and anxiety (e.g., Borders, Penny, & Portnoy, 2000;Cubito & Obremski-Brandon, 2000;Tieman, van der Ende, & Verhulst, 2005). However, other studies comparing adoptees and non-adoptees have found no differences in psychological distress (Collishaw, Maughan, & Pickles, 1998) or life satisfaction (Borders et al., 2000). Indeed, recent reviews and meta-analyses suggest that most adoptees are well-adjusted, although there is evidence of over-representation in mental health settings and small increases in rates of behavior problems Nickman et al., 2005;van IJzendoorn, Juffer, & Klein Poelhuis, 2005). Hence, the claim that adoption is a risk factor for general adjustment difficulties remains controversial. Further, the reason for the mixed findings is unclear: Methodological (sampling and measurement) differences between studies may be one factor, but another possibility is that the link between adoption and adjustment depends on a range of factors, both biological (e.g., prenatal drug exposure) and psychosocial (e.g., functioning within the adoptive family).Despite the mixed findings for general adjustment, there are convincing arguments linking adoption to increased risk of interpersonal problems. Issues concerning loss are inherently relational, and are central to the adoption experience: Adoptees have lost their birth parents, and more generally, a sense of being biologically tied to significant others (Brodzinsky, 1990;Jones, 1997;Schechter & Bertocci, 1990); further, there is a 'status loss' associated with being different (Brodzinsky, 1990). Moreover, in cases where attempted reunions with birth relatives are difficult or unsuccessful, adoptees may experience further loss and rejection. Finally, in comparison to parental lo...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Adoption and Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption, attachment, and relationship concerns: A study of adult adoptees

Feeney

Passmore

Peterson

2007

Personal Relationships

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“…Edens and Cavell (1999) and McGinn (2000) proposed that secure attachment with parental figures might be difficult to achieve for adoptees because previous attachment bonds would have had to be severed. Verrier (2003) suggested that this could be true even for infants adopted at birth, that attachment bonds begin prenatally and that the human foetus is already attached to the biological mother by the time of birth.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Similar psychosis risks in adoptees and immigrants

Seeman

2020

Int J Soc Psychiatry

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Background: There is a consensus that adoptees and immigrants both experience more mental health problems than their peers. The two groups share many risk factors for psychosis, but an increased risk for psychotic illness has only been demonstrated for immigrants. Aims: The aim of this review is to describe psychosis risk factors in adoptees, with a focus on difficulties with identity formation, identification with in-groups, attachment to parents, and coping with loss and with discrimination. Method: The literature in these five areas is reviewed as it pertains to adoption and psychosis. Results: There are no clear findings because the relevant studies have not been done, but the literature suggests that adopted children face challenges very similar to those of immigrants to a new country. Conclusion: The immigration field and the adoption field have much to learn from each other. It is recommended that a prevention strategy analogous to increased neighbourhood ethnic density be implemented with adoptees – that they be intentionally exposed from early childhood and throughout adolescence to age peers who share a similar background and with whom they can readily identify. It is also recommended that immigrants be welcomed into their host country with the same open arms as adoptive parents welcome their new children.

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“…Research also has shown relations between attachment difficulties and prolonged institutional care (Tizard & Hodges, 1978) and preadoptive histories of abuse and neglect (Groze & Rosenthall, 1993). Edens and Cavell (1999) reviewed selected adoption research and reformulated the results in terms of hypotheses grounded in attachment theory. They argued that research on the role of attachment styles-secure, preoccupied, fearful, dismissive (Bartholomew, 1990)-might increase the understanding of complex processes that are unique to adoption.…”

Section: Theoretical Perspectives On Adoptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Practice of Adoption

Zamostny

O’Brien

Baden

et al. 2003

The Counseling Psychologist

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This article presents an overview of the practice of adoption to counseling psychologists to promote clinical understanding of the adoption experience and to stimulate research on adoption. The article includes definitions of adoption terminology, important historical and legal developments for adoption, a summary of adoption statistics, conceptualizations of adoption experience, themes and trends in adoption outcome research related to adoptees and birthparents, and selected theoretical models of adoption. The importance of considering social context variables in adoption practice and research is emphasized.

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A Review and Reformulation of Adoptive Relationships from an Attachment Perspective

Cited by 11 publications

References 37 publications

Adoption, attachment, and relationship concerns: A study of adult adoptees

Adoption, attachment, and relationship concerns: A study of adult adoptees

Similar psychosis risks in adoptees and immigrants

The Practice of Adoption

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