The experience of identity development for adopted adolescents : a phenomenological investigation

The goal of this study was to describe the thematic structure of identity development for adopted adolescents. Ten participants, who were adopted at birth, were interviewed. The rich descriptions of identity development provided by the participants became the data for an investigative team to analyze. Particular and intense attention was given to those recollections of experiences concerning identity development and shaping events in their lives.

The context for identity development was found to be achievements and relationships. Four themes and an important substructure emerged as descriptive of this experience. The four themes which emerged were: (1) Being Chosen, (2) Faith, (3) Fitting in, and (4) Differences. Interestingly the issue of adoption acted as an intensifier to the issues of identity development. Adoption did not appear to put these participants at greater risk and in many cases provided the crisis or positive tension needed for identity formation. The participants also provided valuable information for all members of the adoptive tirade. Some of the participants indicated a significant concern with feeling "incomplete" or unfinished. Adoption was described as a profoundly different experience yet not pathogenic. The implications of these themes and future research possibilities were also addressed.