Press releases

BAAF publishes groundbreaking new research on the 'adoption triangle'

Issued: 10 June 2005

Public perception often believes that adoptive parents are likely to be upset by their son or daughters search for birth family members and that all birth mothers who have placed a baby for adoption are longing to hear from them. But is this the case?

At a conference today organised by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF), a major new study about adoption search and reunion will answer these unknown areas. The study shows that for the majority contact and reunion between adopted adults and birth relatives is rewarding and beneficial for the adopted person, birth relatives and adoptive parents.

The Adoption Triangle Revisited: A study of adoption, search and reunion experiences by John Triseliotis, Julia Feast and Fiona Kyle, and funded by the Nuffield Foundation, is the first British study to address the individual experiences and perspectives of all the key players in the adoption search and reunion process.

Whilst previous studies have largely focused on adopted people and birth mothers, researchers also questioned adoptive parents. The study is the first in the UK to investigate the experiences of both birth mothers who initiated a search for the child that they placed for adoption (seekers) and birth mothers who have not searched, but were contacted by the adopted person (sought).

Based on the results of 125 adopted people, 93 birth mothers and 93 adoptive parents who took part in the 5-year study, the findings reveal that reunions are positive and fulfilling for the vast majority involved, and that reunions endure - with 86% still in contact eight years on.

Significantly, the research revealed that 80% of adoptive parents understood why their son or daughter wanted to search for birth family members. As a result, many reported that their relationship was strengthened.

John Triseliotis, Emeritus Professor at the University of Edinburgh and senior co-author of the report, said that " The study found that where there was greater closeness between adoptive parents and children from childhood onwards, the less likely adopted people were to feel a sense of loss and rejection because they were adopted. However, about 50% of those adopted people in the study who did have these feelings of loss and rejection were helped significantly by contact with their birth parents and other relatives, leading to the disappearance of these feelings in the majority of cases."

Adopted people have been able to search for birth relatives since the Children Act 1975. Dr Fiona Kyle, research fellow at the University of Cambridge and co-author, said: "Over 80% of adopted people, adoptive parents and birth parents were pleased that the contact had occurred, regardless of the outcome of the reunion."

The results are timely as new legislation in England and Wales, due to come into effect on 30th December 2005, will give birth relatives a legal right to ask for an intermediary service to make contact with an adopted adult.

Nearly all the birth mothers (94%) were pleased that their son or daughter had made contact with them. The study showed that contact and reunion stood the test of time. Eight years after reunion, 77% were still in face-to-face contact and 86% were in indirect contact.

Adopted people, birth parents and adoptive parents were all mindful not to hurt one another and were ready to acknowledge and respect the importance of each other in the triangle. Birth parents were keen not to usurp the adoptive parents' role and place in the adopted persons life and equally adoptive parents felt compassion and understanding towards the birth parents. Indeed, two-thirds of adoptive parents developed relationships with the birth family.

Julia Feast, adoption consultant at BAAF and co-author said: "Having information about how all the key parties have experienced adoption search and reunion is a tremendous leap forward. It means that people and professionals will be able to approach this complex and emotional area much better prepared."

Key findings:

• 85% of adopted people reported that the contact and reunion experience was a positive experience for them.
• 50% of adopted people who had felt rejected for being placed for adoption reported that the feelings of rejection disappeared after contact; 68% said the same about experiencing feelings of loss.
• 97% of adopted people said that meeting with their birth parents did not change the way they felt about their adoptive parents.
• 94% of birth mothers surveyed were pleased that their son or daughter had made contact with them.
• 90% of birth mothers reported that the contact and reunion experience had been a happy and satisfying outcome.
• None of the 93 birth mothers surveyed said she wished that she had not met her son or daughter.
• Most adoptive parents' fears either about themselves or the adopted person being hurt in the process of contact and reunion did not materialise.
• Around 80% of adoptive parents said they were pleased about their sons and daughters search and contact.
• 68% of adoptive parents were aware of their son's or daughter's desire to search, but 23% were only told after the contact and reunion had occurred. The reason given for this was that the adopted person did not want to upset their parents.
• Adoptive parents reported that contact and reunion had not affected their relationship with the adopted person.
• Reported levels of closeness between adopted parents and their children before and after contact and reunion with the birth parents hardly changed. 90% described close or very close relationships both before and after contact.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. To arrange an interview with the authors of the study, please contact Lucy Handford on 020 7593 2054 or email lucy.handford@baaf.org.uk
2. An executive summary of the study is available, please contact the press office for a copy.
3. The Adoption Triangle Revisited: A study of adoption, search and reunion experiences by John Triseliotis, Julia Feast and Fiona Kyle costs £14.95 and is available via BAAF's publications department on 020 7593 2000. ISBN 903699 71 1. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact the press office.
4. Findings will be presented at BAAF's one-day conference: The Adoption Triangle, on Friday 10 June 2005, at Woburn House Conference Centre, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HQ. Media representatives should contact the press office (as above) to book a place.
5. The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) is the UK's leading adoption and fostering charity. For more information, please visit www.baaf.org.uk