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NCFA Research

Adoptive Parents
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NCFA Research

Profiles in Adoption

Adult Adoptee Experiences

NCFA's new research report examines the multifaced experiences and perspectives of over 1200 adult adoptees. This report is intended to contribute to the growing body of research that seeks to better understand adoptees from their own perspectives and to promote improved practices and policies in the adoption community.

What are the demographic characteristics of today's adult adoptee population?

What are adoptees' experiences with post-adoption supports and services?

How do adoptees' experiences vary by type of adoption?

What advice would adoptees give to future adoptive parents?

Read the Detailed Report

Profiles in Adoption

Birth Parent Experiences

NCFA's research team, in partnership with BraveLove, conducted focus groups with birth mothers and completed a nationwide survey of birth parents, to explore their experiences with adoption.

The goal of this research was to understand this population better and gain meaningful insights that can inform the development and implementation of programs and services to the expectant and birth parent community. We heard from over 1400 birth parents, and the results outlined in the report answer key questions such as:

Why do birth parents choose to place their child for adoption?

What factors contribute the most to long-term satisfaction with an adoption decision? 

How have the experiences of birth parents changed over time?

What is most helpful to an expectant or birth parent considering adoption?

Read the Summary Highlights
Read the Detailed Report

Profiles in Adoption

Adoptive Parent Experiences

In the largest survey ever conducted of adoptive parents, NCFA explored the profile of adoptive parents, their experiences, and what has changed over time. Get answers to these and many other questions in our new report:

What are the demographic characteristics of adoptive parents?

Just how significant is the rise in special needs adoptions?

What motivates people to adopt?

Read the Detailed Report

Acknowledgments and Suggested Citations

Profiles in Adoption: Adoptive Parent Experiences

The survey was grant-funded by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
The secondary data analysis was funded by the Gift of Adoption Fund with generous support from Lucy Wyka.

Suggested Citation: Hanlon, R., & Quade, M. (2022). Profiles in adoption: A survey of adoptive parents and secondary data analysis of federal adoption files. National Council For Adoption.

Profiles in Adoption: Birth Parent Experiences

This project was funded by the Opt Institute.

Suggested Citation: Hanlon, R., Koh, E., Alexander, R., Bruder, L., Boschen, A., & Williams, P. L. (2023). Profiles in adoption: Birth parent experiences. National Council For Adoption.

Profiles in Adoption: Adult Adoptee Experiences

This project was funded by Dr. Wayne W. Sharp and Mrs. Linda Whitbeck Sharp.

Suggested Citation: Hanlon, R., Davi, N., Quade, M., & Lindner, A. (2024). Profiles in adoption: Adult adoptee experiences. National Council For Adoption.

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