How adoption history shapes adoptee mothers’ transition to parenthood, and to examine the implications of this for psychodynamic and existential psychotherapeutic practice

Abstract

This dissertation explores how an adoption history shapes adoptee mothers'transition to parenthood and the implications for psychotherapeutic practice. An integrative literature review was conducted using databases including PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles, and SAGE Journals, a variety of academic books and grey literature, for example, newspaper articles, online articles, a podcast, and previous studies in adoption, parenting and peer supports for adoptee blogs. Considering psychodynamic and existential perspectives, this review highlights that there is a psychological reorganisation for the adoptee mother which re-emerges once she has her baby, reactivating early loss, identity formation and themes of separation. However, there is opportunity when this transition occurs, to make sense of what is going on for her psychologically and emotionally, in a safe and secure space. This literature review highlights a lack of research specifically on adoptee mothers, particularly throughout motherhood over longer-term studies, however demonstrating the strength of an integrative psychodynamic and existential approach in offering a more holistic understanding of adoption as a lifelong process.