A phenomenological inquiry into the intricacies associated with identity development of adopted individuals

Does the experience of adoption influence one's overall sense of identity? This inquiry, constructed within an existential-phenomenological framework, views the intricacies of the adoption process by exploring the lived experiences of three adopted individuals. A substantial amount of research has indicated that the adoption experience has stressful components (Stein Hoopes, 1985). Higher levels of behavioral problems in adopted adolescents have led researchers to speculate whether such problems may be due to issues regarding identity confusion (Grotevant, Dunbar, Kohler & Lash Esau, 2000). This research suggests that the adoption experience may complicate an individual's identity development, but further research is needed. Researchers are cautioned not to directly attribute identity issues solely to the fact that an individual is adopted.