Negotiating Adoptive and Birth Shared Family Identity: A Social Identity Complexity Approach

This study focuses on communication surrounding adult adoptees’ (N = 127) adoptive identity (comprised of reflective exploration and preoccupation with adoption), shared family identification with birth and adoptive families, and self-esteem. A negative correlation emerged between participants’ identification with their adoptive family and their identification with their birth mother. Family identities were stronger when adoptees were higher in reflective exploration and lower in preoccupation. This same combination was related to decreased self-esteem. Adoptive parents’ open communication about adoption related to decreased preoccupation, and strengthened the association between birth mother contact and shared family identity. Implications for intergroup theorizing are explored.