<p> <i><b>Study Aims:</b></i> With adoption becoming more common in Hong Kong, the present study was conducted to gain an understanding of the opinions of Hong Kong adoptive parents regarding adoption disclosure to their child. Multiple research questions were investigated that may interest both the general public and those associated with adoption. Reasons for adoption disclosure, gender differences, and whether high or low Asian values have a significant influence were examined. <i><b>Method:</b></i> Fifty-four participants (18 men and 31 women) were recruited from Mother's Choice (a Hong Kong NGO). They were asked to complete a Disclosure Questionnaire, which determines the opinions and attitudes of adoptive parents on disclosure that was developed for use in this specific study, and the Asian Values Scale, which can be divided into five subscales (i.e., Collectivism, Conformity to Norms, Emotional Self-Control, Family Recognition Through Achievement, and Humility). <i><b>Results:</b></i> Majority of the participants reported that infertility was their main reason for the adoption and that they disclose because the child has the right to know. In addition, the majority strongly feel that disclosing will save future trauma and will not affect their relationship. The overwhelming majority of parents (94.4%, 51 out of 54) are planning to or already have disclosed the adoptive status to their child. Two participants (3.7%) are not planning to disclose and one (1.9%) did not answer. The 51 participants were then asked a follow up question regarding whether they would still disclose if it were guaranteed that their child would never find out about his/her adoptive status and ten of them changed their mind and one did not answer. Some gender differences were found and there were a few significant items where participants who responded differently on Disclosure Questionnaire items also varied on Asian values. <i><b> Conclusions:</b></i> This study is important to further understand Hong Kong's adoption population. Although there are limitations due to sample size and convenient sampling, this study is a beginning in the exploration of opinions of adoptive parents towards disclosure. As the majority of participants adopted due to infertility, more care and counseling should be provided targeting infertile couples to explore infertility, the possibility of adoption, and what the adoption means to them. This is especially important in Hong Kong, where infertility may be seen as culturally deviant as the purpose of marriage is to parent (Ko, 2001). With the cultural and social stigma of infertility, many couples may choose to remain secretive and thus perhaps keep a subsequent adoption secretive as well. It can be concluded that adoption disclosure is a complicated action that requires a lot of consideration and preparation. However, even with this, thoughts and feelings may continue to conflict with each other as it is a complex process.</p><p> <i>Keywords:</i> adoption, disclosure, Hong Kong, Asian Values Scale</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3568180 |
| Date | 23 August 2013 |
| Creators | Lau, Andrea |
| Publisher | Alliant International University |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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