Adolescents' satisfaction with contact in adoption

Authors

Tai J. Mendenhall, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Jerica M. Berge, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Gretchen M. Wrobel, Bethel University
Harold D. Grotevant, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Ruth G. McRoy, The University of Texas at Austin

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The current investigation drew from the second wave of data collected from the Minnesota-Texas Adoption Research Project (MTARP). Adolescents involved in adoptive arrangements in which there is contact with birth parents were compared to adolescents who do not have contact with their birth parents in terms of satisfaction with adoption openness. ANOVA results indicated that adolescents who have contact with their birthmothers maintain higher satisfaction with contact status than those who do not have contact. No effects for gender or age were noted. In terms of contact with birthfathers, adolescents with contact maintained higher satisfaction with contact status than those who do not have contact. Significant effects for age were also noted, insofar as satisfaction with contact increases with age. Implications of these findings for adoption professionals are put forth, as well as directions for further research.

Department(s)

Psychology

Publication Title

Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal

Volume

21

Issue

2

First Page

175

Last Page

190

Publication Date

4-1-2004

DOI

10.1023/B:CASW.0000022730.89093.b7

ISSN

07380151

Recommended Citation

Mendenhall, Tai J.; Berge, Jerica M.; Wrobel, Gretchen M.; Grotevant, Harold D.; and McRoy, Ruth G., "Adolescents' satisfaction with contact in adoption" (2004). Psychology Faculty Publications. 15.
https://spark.bethel.edu/psychology-faculty/15