Stories and Selves: The Relationship Between Adoption Entrance Narratives and Adoptee’s Self Concept

• In Event: Adoptive Family Communication

Abstract

Scholars assert that the construction of adoption entrance narratives impacts adoptee well-being, but that assumption has yet to be empirically tested. The goal of the present study was to examine the salience of themes of these narratives, and to then determine the impact of story content on adoptees' self-concept. Results indicate the salience of two of the five established adoption entrance narrative themes – reconnection and destiny – significantly predicted differences in adoptees’ self-concepts.

Authors

• Haley A. Kranstuber, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

• Jody Koenig Kellas, University of Nebraska, Lincoln