A recent study conducted by the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich has shed light on the distinct challenges faced by adults who were adopted as children when they become parents. The research explored the “lived experiences” of 40 individuals, emphasizing that previous studies in this area were notably limited.
The findings indicated that adults adopted before the age of 12 often grapple with feelings of “loss, rejection, abuse, and neglect” upon becoming parents, as the experience tends to evoke challenging memories from their past. The study underscored the necessity for earlier intervention to address the mental health concerns of adoptees.
Lead researcher Prof Beth Neil, from UEA’s School of Social Work, highlighted, “For some, having their first child meant meeting the first person in their life that they had a biological connection to.” She added, “Others were afraid they would not bond with their child or that their child would reject them.”
The study revealed that almost a quarter of the parents examined were not residing with their children, some having lost custody to care or adoption—a situation the report characterized as “devastating.”
A pivotal moment identified in the research was that becoming a parent served as a “key turning point” for some adoptees, motivating them to “turn their lives around.” Despite challenges, the experience offered an opportunity for positive transformation.
In 2021, a survey by the charity Adoption UK external indicated that 46% of adoptees aged between 16 and 25 were engaged with mental health services, compared to the national figure of 17%. Many faced struggles related to alcohol addiction, substance misuse, and relationship issues.
The UEA’s report concluded with several recommendations for the adoption system, emphasizing the need for improved support and early intervention for adoptees grappling with mental health conditions.
