Ethiopian Adoptees' Experiences of Attachment after Adoption in Australia: A Qualitative Study. Issue 3 (3rd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winkenweder, Hilina; Due, Clemence; Strelan, Peter
• Is Part Of: Adoption quarterly. Volume 25:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 163
• Page End: 184
• Publication Date: 2022-07-03
• Subjects: Ethiopia -- attachment -- international adoption -- intercountry adoption; Adoption -- Periodicals; 362.734
• DOI: 10.1080/10926755.2021.1884156
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1092-6755

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates how Ethiopian adoptees and adoptive parents in Australia experience attachment to each other post-adoption. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Ethiopian adoptees and eight adoptive parents. Thematic analysis returned four themes, indicating that attachment experiences were affected by the following: age at adoption; separation anxiety and survival mechanisms; biological family access; and identity formation. The findings contribute to improved understanding of Ethiopian adoptees' attachment experiences in Australia, and highlight unmet needs surrounding post-adoption support, in particular, support relating to post-adoption attachment.