Openness in Adoption

This paper addresses two sets of issues concerning openness in adoption. First, the current research literature on outcome studies concerning openness in adoption is summarized. Second, issues involved in conducting research on openness are discussed, and methodological recommendations are offered. Examples are then provided from the author's ongoing program of research with adoptive kinship networks, which are defined as including the adopted child, siblings, his or her adoptive parents and their extended families, and his or her birthparents and their extended families. Psychological outcomes for adopted children appear to be less related to family structure (level of openness) than to the dynamics of the adoptive kinship network.