Adoptive family experiences of post‐adoption contact in an Internet era

Abstract

In the UK, post‐adoption contact between adoptive and birth families traditionally includes letterbox and/or face‐to‐face methods of communication. Because of the emphasis in the UK of adoption from the public care system, post‐adoption contact is often supported and mediated by social work professionals. The growth in the use of e‐communication, through for example social media, has created concerns regarding the use of such technologies for the purposes of ‘virtual contact’ following adoption. This paper reports the findings of a study of this emerging practice. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 11 adoptive parents and six adopted young people. Findings suggest that virtual contact presents both challenges and opportunities for adoptive families. We conclude that virtual contact is complex, but with appropriate boundaries and consideration of different interests, can work well in some cases.

Review of benefits and risks for children in open adoption arrangements

“…However, seven studies specifically examined behavioural and emotional problems in the adoptee (Agnich, Schueths, James, & Klibert, 2016; Farr et al, 2016; Grotevant et al, 2013; Grotevant, Rueter, Von Korff, & Gonzalez, 2011; Neil, 2009; Reppold & Hutz, 2009; Von Korff et al, 2006), and three reports explored identity formation (Del Pozo, Dunstan, & Kaltner, 2018; Luu, de Rosnay, Wright, & Tregeagle, 2018; Von Korff & Grotevant, 2011). Data about adoptive children were most commonly gathered from birth parents and adoptive parents, although in some studies, children and adolescents were also interviewed and assessed (Berge, Mendenhall, Wrobel, Grotevant, & McRoy, 2006; Farr et al, 2016; Farr, Grant‐Marsney, & Grotevant, 2014; Farr, Grant‐Marsney, Musante, Grotevant, & Wrobel, 2014; Greenhow et al, 2015; Grotevant & McRoy, 1997; Grotevant et al, 2013; Grotevant, Rueter, et al, 2011; Kohler, Grotevant, & McRoy, 2002; Luu et al, 2018; March, 1997; Reppold & Hutz, 2009; Von Korff & Grotevant, 2011; Wrobel & Grotevant, 2018). Consequently, the age of adoptees at the time of a given study ranged from childhood to adulthood (Tables 1 and 2).…”

“…Another aspect to consider is which family members are involved in contact. Birth mothers and birth grandmothers are the most common participants (French, Henney, Ayers‐Lopez, McRoy, & Grotevant, 2014; Von Korff, Grotevant, & McRoy, 2006), although birth siblings may also be involved, especially in the case of virtual contact (Greenhow, Hackett, Jones, & Meins, 2015). Given that all the above aspects may vary depending on circumstances, motivations and other relationship factors (Grotevant et al, 2013), contact should be regarded as a transactional and dynamic phenomenon (Neil & Howe, 2004), and hence, there is no one‐size‐fits‐all approach to open adoption.…”

The Maintenance of Traditional and Technological Forms of Post‐Adoption Contact

“…For example, one family had ‘out of the blue’ virtual contact from the birth mother that was negative, but an extension of existing direct contact with siblings that was positive. Greenhow et al () outline a more detailed discussion of the nuances involved in virtual contact experiences. However, for the purpose of this paper, it is important to note that the categories of virtual contact presented in this study are not mutually exclusive.…”

“…In addition to the potential challenges of traditional contact, technological practices are emerging that are facilitating search, reunion and continuing contact amongst members of adoptive and birth families without professional mediation. In particular, this includes ‘virtual contact’ (Fursland, , p. 20) defined as ‘post‐adoption contact activities between adopted children and birth relatives via social networking sites, email, video calls, or text messaging’ (Greenhow et al , , p. 2).…”

Twenty-first century contact: the use of mobile communication devices and the internet by young people in care

“…A number of studies (Greenhow, et al, 2017;MacDonald, et al, 2014;Wilson, 2016) have explored how children who are in care or have been adopted use mobile communication devices and the internet for contact with people they value, mostly members of their family. Greenhow studied 10 adoptive families and charted what she called 'virtual contact' and drew out the practice implications for adoptive parents and social work practitioners.…”