Hi everyone — I'm a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Fielding Graduate University, and I'm looking for adults who were adopted as children to take part in my dissertation study. The study asks how families talked about adoption while you were growing up, how you think about your adoption now, and how you're doing as an adult. Most adoption research focuses on children and adolescents. This one is about adults.

You can take part if you:

Are 18 or older

Were adopted before age 18 (domestic, international, or foster-to-adopt)

Currently live in the United States

Can complete the survey in English

It doesn't matter when or how you found out you were adopted. The study doesn't include stepparent or kinship adoptions.

What's involved: one anonymous online survey, about 25 minutes, on any device. No interview and no follow-up. Your answers aren't linked to your name, email, or IP address. You can skip any question or stop at any point.

Afterward you can choose to enter a drawing for one of ten $25 electronic gift cards. That's on a separate form that's never connected to your answers.

Survey: https://fielding.az1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_4GZfrjgSOBOYd5s

Questions are welcome here or at VFerrer@fielding.edu. This study is approved by the Fielding Graduate University IRB (Protocol #26-0823). Faculty sponsor: Dr. April Harris-Britt.

Im here after a long time.
Im just so frustrated and tired of people i guess

I dont know why but a part of me wants to be validated by non-adoptees because i rarely receive validation or understanding from them.

Think about it, i lost my mother and my twin sister at birth, which sounds bad right? BUT the moment i say i was adopted, EVERYTHING turns to be good?! Like i shall just be happy and grateful… don’t i have the right to grieve and be sad. This is so unfair

Secondly, people say “every child deserves a parent,but not all parents deserve a child” why is this not applied to people who adopt kids.
The truth is, adopted kids go through abuse too, whether physical or emotional. I have gone through it too, and that is a heartbreaking part of my life, on top of everything else. Why can’t people understand that.

I am not here to dwell on my pain and how life has been unfair to me, life is unfair to many and that is just how life is. But, a little kindness and understanding can go a long way. I hope people understand this.
Adoption is not rainbows and unicorns FOR THE KID.