About this srcd poster session

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Panel information
Panel 29. Solicited Content: Indigenous Children and Families

Abstract

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Adopted children have unique family and relationships experiences (Park et al., 2013) due to the separation from birth family and joining with an adoptive family. Adoptive parents are tasked with stepping into the role that would be played by the original caregivers to meet the child’s needs. Consequently, adoptive parent-child relationships play an important role in the development of adopted children (Grotevant, 1997). One population that has been underrepresented in adoption literature, despite their increased propensity to experience removal and adoption is American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children (Carter, 2010; Francis et al., 2023; Yi et al., 2020). Research has yet to explore how adopted AI/AN individuals describe the quality of their relationships with their adoptive parents during childhood. Although existing research suggests that AI/AN children are at increased risk for discrimination in their adoptive homes, maltreatment recurrence, and polyvictimization (Landers et al., 2021; Simpson et al., 2023), we know less about adopted AI/AN children’s direct experiences with and their perceptions of their relationships with their adoptive parents during childhood. The purpose of the current study is to enhance understanding of adopted AI/AN individuals’ perspectives of their relationships with their adoptive parents. Secondary data was analyzed to understand the research question, “How do adopted American Indian adults retrospectively describe their relationships with their foster and/or adopted parents during childhood?” This study utilized data from the Experiences of Adopted and Fostered Individuals Project (n = 88). The sample was primarily female (n = 67, 75.3%) and ranged in age from 27 to 71 years old (M = 50.39, SD = 9.12). Almost two thirds had experienced foster care (n = 54, 60.7%) and the majority of participants were adopted before the age of one (n = 56, 62.9%). Reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2022) was used to inductively identify three themes: (1) facilitators of attachment, (2) disruptions to attachment, and (3) neglect and abuse. Matrix coding was conducted to explore differences in the codes and themes based on participant experiences. Results indicated differences in experiences based on gender and age at adoption. The contemporary adoption of American Indian children cannot be disentangled from longstanding removal practices steeped in settler colonialism, White supremacy, and violence (Alberts & Mulzer, 2022; Jacobs, 2013, 2014; Rocha Beardall et al., 2021). These themes indicated that adopted AI/AN adults remember complex experiences with their adoptive parents that range from positive and supportive to harmful. This study advances understanding of relationships between adopted AI/AN children and their adoptive parents. Findings from this study challenges assumptions that the removal of AI/AN children results in more safety and stability for the child. Those involved in child welfare policy and practice must work together to recognize and address biases that center Western values regarding family and caregiving and reject the myth that AI/AN children, especially those living in poverty, need to be rescued from their birth families (Alberts & Mulzer, 2021; White et al., 2022). Efforts should be directed toward the preservation and protection of AI/AN families.

Author information

Author	Role
Jessica E. Simpson, University of Minnesota	Presenting author
Ashley L. Landers, The Ohio State University	Non-presenting author
Sandy White Hawk, First Nations Repatriation Institute	Non-presenting author
Armeda S. Wojciak, University of Minnesota	Non-presenting author

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