Racial and Ethnic Identity Development in Transracial Adoptees

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the experiences of transracial adoptees, the process of racial and ethnic identity development, and how it impacts their overall self-esteem. The relevance of this study was due to a lack of research on transracial adoption and research aims to understand experiences from adoptee perspectives. Furthermore, it also aids in educating stakeholders, including mental health professionals, educators, policy makers, and the general public. A qualitative methodology was used, in which seven participants completed a demographic survey and engaged in 30–45 minute semistructured interviews to understand their experiences as transracial adoptees across their lifespan as they relate to their racial and ethnic identity and psychological well-being. Four themes arose validated much of the existing literature on transracial adoptee experiences, including racial and ethnic identity development process, family communication and perceptions, psychological well-being, and racial and social experiences. Future research could gear toward conducting longitudinal studies, the efficacy of individual and family therapy for transracial adoptees (TRAs) and increasing generalizability my using heterogeneous samples.