Parental disclosure of assisted reproductive technology (ART) conception to their children: a systematic and meta-analytic review

Tallandini, Maria Anna; Zanchettin, Liviana; Gronchi, Giorgio; Morsan, Valentina

doi:10.1093/humrep/dew068

Cited by 53 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…The evidence points out that parents should talk openly about donor conception with their child and that specialist counselors should prepare intended parents how to do this. The fact that some studies found that in disclosing families children were negatively influenced by the stress of their parents, only underpins the importance of greater psychological support for parents throughout the process of talking about donor conception with their child and give them support in being a donor-child [13,30,33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Disclosure to the childfrom birth onis recommended, since it is known that donor-children who were told about their genetic origins during childhood experience more positive feelings towards their parents than those who were told during adolescence or adulthood [2,9,[12][13][14]. Also, donor-conceived offspring who found out during or after adolescence that they are a donor-child, frequently have feelings of mistrust and wished that parents had told them earlier about being donor-conceived [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Being a donor-child: wishes for parental support, peer support and counseling

Schrijvers

Bos

Rooij

et al. 2017

Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being a donor-child: wishes for parental support, peer support and counseling

Schrijvers

Bos

Rooij

et al. 2017

Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology

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“…In spite of these changes to policy and practice, it remains the case that many parents decide against disclosing the use of donor conception to their children (Tallandini, Zanchettin, Gronchi, & Morsan, ). Studies on heterosexual parents’ reasons for nondisclosure have shown that they were concerned about jeopardising the positive relationship that had developed between the nongenetic parent and the child and also did not know what, how or when to disclose (Cook, Golombok, Bish, & Murray, ; Readings, Blake, Casey, Jadva, & Golombok, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of age of disclosure of biological origins in the psychological wellbeing of adolescents conceived by reproductive donation: a longitudinal study from age 1 to age 14

Ilioi

Blake

Jadva

et al. 2016

Child Psychology Psychiatry

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BackgroundThe question of whether children should be told of their biological origins is one of the most controversial issues regarding the birth of children through donated eggs, sperm, embryos or surrogacy.MethodsIn the sixth phase of this longitudinal study when the children were aged 14 years, family relationships and adolescent adjustment were examined in 87 families created through reproductive donation and 54 natural conception families. The quality of family relationships was assessed by standardised interview with mothers and by standardised questionnaires and an observational measure with mothers and adolescents. Adolescent adjustment was assessed using standardised questionnaires. Systematic information on whether and when parents had told children about their biological origins was obtained at earlier phases of the study.ResultsThere were no overall differences between disclosing families and either nondisclosing or natural conception families. However, within the disclosing families, more positive family relationships and higher levels of adolescent wellbeing were found for adolescents who had been told about their biological origins before age 7.ConclusionsThe earlier children born through reproductive donation are told about their biological origins, the more positive are the outcomes in terms of the quality of family relationships and psychological wellbeing at adolescence.

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“…For this group, the first layer of secrecy related to their adoption and the second to the circumstances of their birth. There is specific learning in a wide range of situations about ways to disclosure sensitive issues to young children (Kennedy & Prock, 2016;Krauss, Letteney, & Okoro, 2016;Tallandini, Zanchettin, Gronchi, & Morsan, 2016). These should be adapted and included in the preparation and provision for those abandoned and then subsequently placed into some form of family care.…”

Section: Interpersonal Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emotional distress, resilience and adaptability: a qualitative study of adults who experienced infant abandonment

Sherr

Roberts

Croome

2017

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine

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Background: There is very little insight into the emotional effects of adult survivors of infant abandonment. The rate and reasons for abandonment differ by country, region and economic background. Depending on country, age and era, abandoned children may be cared for by a series of alternative arrangements, ranging from care homes, institutions, foster care, alternative care environments or even reside as street children. As abandonment is relatively rare in the UK, formal procedures, documentation, provision and handling are often overlooked in policy guidance. Method: A qualitative study was conducted with 16 adult survivors of infant abandonment drawn from a UK sample. Participant interviews were recorded verbatim and transcribed. The full transcripts were coded for emerging (n = 14) and then higher order (n = 3) themes. Results: Higher order themes suggest that interpersonal issues relating to relationship formation and personal emotional coping were key factors. Both positive and negative emotions and actions were documented at the personal and interpersonal levels. Of specific note were effects resulting from formal health and welfare systems as they navigated through documentation, medical encounters and contact with agencies. Their recollections encompassed extensive internal grief over the course of many years. Yet, for many, there were simultaneous threads of resilience and adaptation. Conclusions: Support pathways are wanting and these findings suggest a number of potential interventions and/or provision required from an early age to ameliorate or obviate such emotional strain. Given the rarity of abandonment, this insight may assist in policy change, especially with regard to support provision. Documentation needs to be maintained for the longer term -with the current practice of five-year limits unhelpful to this group. It may be many years after the abandonment that they embark on searches for information. Lessons for adoptive parents regarding the unique situation of abandoned babies may also be of benefit.

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Parental disclosure of assisted reproductive technology (ART) conception to their children: a systematic and meta-analytic review

Abstract: The study was funded by the University of Trieste.

Cited by 53 publications

References 54 publications

Being a donor-child: wishes for parental support, peer support and counseling

Being a donor-child: wishes for parental support, peer support and counseling

The role of age of disclosure of biological origins in the psychological wellbeing of adolescents conceived by reproductive donation: a longitudinal study from age 1 to age 14

Emotional distress, resilience and adaptability: a qualitative study of adults who experienced infant abandonment

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