Adoptees suffer emotionally if not told early on, survey finds

Loss, anger, low self-esteem and shame are experienced when people who are adopted are not told until much later in life, a new survey shows.

Those who are adopted can suffer from severe emotional and psychological difficulties as a result, according to research carried out by psychologist Dr Clodagh Jordan of Trinity College Dublin.

Last year she surveyed Irish adoptees aged from 32 to 71.

The research finds adoptees have difficulty dealing with the emotional impact of adoption, which leads to depression in more than half of cases.

Psychological impact

There is also a persistent distressing and painful psychological impact of adoption which can affect family, peer, work and romantic relationships.

Dr Jordan said almost all adoptees surveyed reported feelings of being unable to trust due to their first experience of those closest to them.

She was speaking ahead of her presentation today at the Psychological Society of Ireland conference in Galway.

“The consequences of adoption is an area which has been overlooked,” Dr Jordan said.

“There is an increased sense of rejection and abandonment and feelings of sustained insecurity in relationships - ongoing support services need to be drastically improved upon by the Government.

“The age [at which] an adoptee is told about their background has a huge influence.”

The findings recommend adoptees need to be told from three years upwards.