BIRTHMOTHER RESEARCH PROJECT

BIRTHMOTHER RESEARCH PROJECT

The Trauma of Relinquishment:
The Long-term Impact of Relinquishment on Birthmothers
who Lost their Infants to Adoption during the Years 1965-1972

Warning: Due to the traumatic nature of relinquishment, reading this material may awaken buried feelings or revive forgotten memories. This can be a cathartic, healing experience. However, if you should feel overwhelmed by these feelings, do not continue reading. Seek the help of a qualified counselor, preferably one who is familiar with adoption/relinquishment issues.

ABSTRACT. This study examined the long-term impact of relinquishment on birthmothers and explored the social construction of the birthmother experience. A survey was conducted to obtain measures of post-relinquishment stress symptoms, emotions, behaviors, and perceptions. A gender-specific health inventory and demographic questions were included. Seventy-nine women who relinquished their infants to adoption during the years 1965 through 1972 responded to the survey. Three birthmothers participated in a post-survey discussion group for the purpose of providing greater depth to the analysis of the survey data. Major findings of the study were: (1) the relinquishment experience was a traumatic life event for 99% of the participants; (2) 97% of the respondents reported being misled or misinformed of the effects of relinquishment; and (3) 94% of the participants reported that they did not receive adequate counseling at the time of the relinquishment. The profound effects of the imposition of secrecy was a prominent theme in the post-survey discussion group. That 41% of the survey participants had received hysterectomies is a finding that merits further investigation. Implications for social action, clinical counseling, and future research were discussed.

TO VIEW THE ENTIRE TEXT, click on the individual sections listed below:

Dedication
Acknowledgements
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Literature Review
Chapter Three: Methodology
Chapter Four: Results
Chapter Five: Discussion
Postscript
Appendices
References
Summarized Survey Results

Personal Artwork: Expressions of My Relinquishment Experience:
"Shattered Reality"
"Grief"
"Connection across Space and Time"
"Searching"

Links to Adoption-related Web Sites:
Adoption Mailing Lists, Newsgroups, Bulletin Boards and Chat
Unsealed Initiative: New York Statewide Adoption Reform
Post-adoption Trauma & Reunion Counseling

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RESEARCHER:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR. . . Judy Kelly is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Post-Adoption Counselor, a reunited birthmother, and co-facilitator of the Manhattan Birthparents Support Group in New York City. This research project was conducted as part of the requirements for her Master's degree in Psychology & Counseling at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont. Dr. Kelly also holds a doctorate in Psychology (Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine) from Northcentral University in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Email: judy.kelly.phd@live.com

To Visit Goddard's Home Page: http://www.goddard.edu

Judy Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC
Certified Post-Adoption Counselor