L'expérience et les perceptions des personnes adoptées à l’international à la suite d’un contact virtuel avec leur famille biologique
International adoptees’ search for their origins is not an easy journey. Their search can be filled with difficulties associated with the reality of international adoption. These difficulties can be eased by the use of new communication technology. Studies show that while these virtual tools can be helpful, they can also complicate the lives of adopted people and their families. The present study’s aim is to explore internationally adopted adults’ experience and perceptions of virtual contact with their birth families. Individual semi-directed interviews were carried out with eight adopted adults who experienced the studied reality. Two focus groups were also conducted with internationally adopted adults who had not lived a virtual contact with their birth families in order to explore their views on the subject. A thematic analysis of the material gathered through these two procedures was done. Results reveal that virtual contact with their birth families can be destabilizing on different levels for adopted people. This contact is part of the search for origins journey, which is part of the search for self-journey. The knowledge produced by this study will enable professionals who work with international adopted people who are experiencing search and reunion difficulties to better orient their support in order to offer services that better take into consideration the different aspects of a virtually-initiated contact with biological families.
international adoption adult adoptees search for origins new communication technology contact with the birth family