Adopted Me: Then and Now

Hello, As a psychology graduate student in San Francisco, I have the opportunity to question and explore many of the ideas I have come to believe about myself throughout my lifetime. I have also become passionate about creating a space where others can do the same, safely. Through my clinical work with many adopted and foster children and young adults as well as parents, I have become curious about how adult adoptees reflect on their experience and how they relate it to their current experience as a parent. Through my (difficult) recruiting process for my dissertation research about parenting and adult adoptees, I have realized that many adoptees do not want to share their experiences. I can imagine a few very understandable reasons and would never push someone to talk if they knew they were not ready. However, if you are even considering my project, PLEASE email me with your concerns and I will do my best to provide honest and thoughtful responses such that you can make a more informed decision to participate. As you may or may not know, there has been very little research done on adult adoptees and their experience of adoption and parenting. My study aims to help fill this gap as I believe there is so much to be learned from those who have had these experiences. My study in particular involves interviews (1-1.5 hours) with parents who were adopted at the age of 3 (or after) and who now have their own children, age 7 or younger. I will ask questions about their experience as an adoptee and their experience now as a parent. This is a qualitative study that aims to find common themes between the experiences of my participants and does NOT make causal statements (e.g. because of this type of adoption they are likely this kind of parent). I would find a study of that nature flawed in many ways (as articulated in my literature review). I am hoping that you and/or some of your community members might be interested in contributing to my research. Unfortunately, I cannot offer any compensation other than the hopefully fulfilling experience of sharing stories with others for the sake of better understanding and education. I am willing to travel to meet participants where they feel comfortable and will provide them with all necessary information and paperwork regarding confidentiality and rights. Please let me know if you are interested in participating and/or presenting this opportunity to your community. If you have any ideas for me, I am all ears as well. Again, please let me know if you have questions or any concerns. Thank you, Candice Turner, MA, PsyD Candidate California Institute of Integral Studies Candice2183@gmail.com