The motivations of donor-conceived adults for seeking information about, and contact with, sperm donors. Issue 1 (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Macmillan, Caitlin M.; Allan, Sonia; Johnstone, Melissa; Stokes, Mark A.
• Is Part Of: Reproductive biomedicine online. Volume 43:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 149
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Assisted reproductive treatment -- Donor-conceived adults -- Donor conception -- Motivations -- Sperm donation; Human reproductive technology -- Periodicals; Human embryo -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; 616.692
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.04.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6483

Abstract

Highlights: The majority of donor-conceived adults had sought donor information (88%). The majority of donor-conceived adults had sought donor contact (71%). Common motivations reported for each: medical information, curiosity and identity. Logistic regressions found predictors varied between motivations and each act Abstract: Research question: How do the demographic characteristics, mental health experiences and disclosure experiences of donor-conceived adults shape motivations for seeking information about their sperm donors, contact with them, or both? Design: Sixty-nine Australian adults who conceived through sperm donors completed an online survey. Uniquely, information and contact seeking were investigated as two distinct concepts. Results: Participants reported a variety of demographic, mental health, disclosure and discovery experiences. Most had been motivated to seek information about their donor (88%), contact with them (71%), or both. The most commonly reported motivations for each act were for medical information, expanding their identity and curiosity. Logistic regression findings were significant for wanting medical information as a motivation for seeking donor information ( P = 0.03). Endorsement of this motivation was associated with self-reported anxiety ( P = 0.02) and less likely as participant age increased ( P = 0.02). Motivation to contact donors for medical information was associated with self-reported anxiety ( P = 0.02) and depression ( P = 0.01), and more likely when the participant was raised in a household that included the recipient co-parent ( P = 0.04). As years since disclosure or discovery increased, participants were less likely to report wanting medical information as a motivation ( P = 0.02). Conclusion: Overall, participants were motivated to obtain information and seek contact with sperm donors. Motivations for each were similar despite participants varying in age and reporting a range of circumstances regarding disclosure, some of which were adverse.