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Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
2014
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Communication Studies and Theatre
First Advisor
Laurie Haleta
Abstract
This study explores the nature of adopted adults’ communication of adoptive identity in lieu of the family. Ten research participants (n = 10) were interviewed about communication of identity to individuals unaware of participants’ adoptive identity. Using the Constant Comparative Method of Grounded Theory, (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) the researcher conducted a qualitative content analysis using the communication theory of identity and relational dialectics theory 2.0. Results revealed four identity gaps: personal-relational, personal-enacted, relational-enacted, and personal-communal and four dialectical tensions: openness/closedness, integration/separation, acknowledgement of identity/ownership of identity, and predictability/surprise. This study found the existence of two less explored identity gaps, relational-enacted and personal-communal. Participants’ responses revealed a new discursive struggle between acknowledgement of identity and ownership of identity. Last, the tension between predictability/surprise exists in non-adoption research. The emergence of this communicative struggle demonstrates the need for research to focus on the adopted individual in adoption studies. Analysis of results and discussion of future research is provided.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Adoptees -- Psychology
Identity (Psychology)
Communication
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 116-128)
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
198
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/
Recommended Citation
Vellinga, Haley Christine, "Adopted Individuals’ Communication About Adoptive Identity Outside the Family Context : A Qualitative Content Analysis of Adoptees’ Disclosure of Identity" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1600.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1600