Long-Term Mental Health Effects of Mother–Child Separation Due to Adoption

The Preliminary Exploration into Adoption Reunions (PEAR) survey examined the mental health issues faced by adoptees and first mothers. Data were collected from 1313 adoptees, first mothers, and first fathers. Study results indicate that adoption has lasting adverse effects on both adoptees and first mothers. Adoptees and first mothers are significantly more likely to attempt suicide (35 times and 37.7 times, respectively), abuse alcohol, display hypersexual behaviors, and restrict their eating compared to their peers: While first mothers have a lower life expectancy and are more likely to die by suicide than women who did not lose their children to adoption, adoptees frequently struggle with their identity and sense of belonging. They expressed experiencing trauma from their separation from their first mothers, regardless of the quality of their adoptive parents. The findings also highlight the negative impact of the secrecy surrounding adoption. Themes of secrecy and shame were prevalent in the responses from both adoptees and first mothers. The findings highlight the importance of listening to and validating the experiences of adoptees and first mothers and that there needs to be transparency in adoption practices, which may reduce the stigma associated with adoption, and facilitate healing.