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Evolution and resolution: Birthmothers' experience of grief and loss at different levels of adoption openness

University of Houston-Downtown, henneys{at}uhd.edu

Susan Ayers-Lopez

University of Texas at Austin

Ruth G. McRoy

University of Texas at Austin

Harold D. Grotevant

University of Minnesota

This article explores birthmothers' experiences of grief and loss over time across the continuum of openness in adoption. Data were collected by structured interview at two points in time: 4—12 years postplacement (169 birthmothers) and 12—20 years postplacement (127 birthmothers). At Wave 1 a majority of the birthmothers were experiencing moderate to high degrees of grief. However, by Wave 2 a similar majority reported feeling some or no feelings of grief. Birthmothers in fully disclosed adoptions tended to have lower levels of grief than those in confidential adoptions at Wave 2. Overall, the results suggest that the "right amount" of openness for a birthmother may change over the life course. Implications for practice are discussed.

Key Words: adoption • birthmother • grief • loss • openness • openness in adoption

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Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 24, No. 6, 875-889 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407507084188


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Henney, S. M. Articles by Grotevant, H. D. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?