Adults' experiences of late discovery adoption

This study aims to explore the experiences of individuals who learned about their adoption during adulthood. In this context, interviews were conducted with individuals who discovered their adoption through institutional means or interpersonal relationships. The study employed purposive sampling, one of the qualitative research techniques, and conducted in-depth interviews with individuals who learned about their adoption in adulthood. The participants of the research consisted of individuals who sought to view their adoption files and those reached through social media and deemed suitable for the study's purpose. Interviews were conducted with 16 participants who voluntarily joined the study. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form and analyzed through thematic analysis, using MAXQDA Pro 20 software. As a result of the analysis, the following themes were identified: the biological family-child-adoptive family triangle, late confrontation with adoption, coping strategies, and opinions and suggestions on the adoption model. The first theme, "The Biological Family-Child-Adoptive Family Triangle," examines the complex network of relationships between the adopted individual, their biological family, and their adoptive family. The second theme, "Late Confrontation with Adoption," explores the process experienced by individuals when they discover their adoption late in life. The third theme, "Coping Strategies," focuses on the coping mechanisms adopted by individuals who learned about their adoption in adulthood. The fourth theme, "Opinions and Suggestions on the Adoption Model," evaluates perspectives and suggestions regarding the adoption process. The study found that individuals who learned about their adoption in adulthood had healthy relationships with their adoptive families during childhood. It also revealed that some adoptive families frequently relocated to avoid societal labeling and stigmatization. Participants were found to have positive perspectives on the concept of adoption. Furthermore, participants expressed differing views on the appropriate age for disclosing adoption information: some advocated for revealing it during childhood, others during adolescence, adulthood, or not disclosing it at all. The findings indicated that participants learned about their adoption through various means, such as by chance, from population registry records, or through others in their social circles. After discovering their adoption, participants employed various coping strategies, including acceptance, seeking social support, obtaining professional help, engaging in activities, or resorting to harmful behaviors. The study also found that individuals reacted differently upon learning about their adoption. However, their communication with their adoptive families remained unchanged. At the same time, participants expressed curiosity about their biological families and a desire to find them. While some adoptive families supported the adoptees' efforts to connect with their biological families, others were concerned about potential harm from the biological family and opposed such communication. Some adoptive families remained undecided about the process. The study concluded that, upon facing the reality of their adoption, participants had the greatest need for emotional support and accurate information. To address these needs, participants suggested the establishment of support groups and social platforms, as well as the availability of individual psychological support. Additionally, to normalize adoption within society, increasing the presence of adoption-related content on television and social media programs was recommended.