Date of Completion
2025
Document Type
Honors College Thesis
Department
UVM College of Arts and Sciences
Thesis Type
Honors College, College of Arts and Science Honors
First Advisor
Dr. Jinny Huh, PhD
Keywords
transracial adoptee, adoption, identity development, relationship health, emerging adulthood, romantic relationships
Abstract
This thesis explores the romantic relationship experiences of transracial emerging adult adoptees (ages 18-25), focusing on how adoption and identity formation shape their romantic relationships. Through thematic analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews with nine participants, this study examines relational dynamics using an attachment-informed lens, emphasizing components such as intimacy, autonomy, trust, and emotional support. Findings reveal that participants navigate complex intersections of identity, including racial, cultural, and LGBTQ+ identities, while managing the complexities of vulnerability, communication, and belonging within relationships. Growth emerged as a central theme, with participants reflecting on past relational patterns and describing efforts to foster healthier and more balanced connections. By centering the voices of transracial adoptees, this study offers a strengths-based perspective on identity and relational development, contributing to more inclusive and attuned practices in social work and mental health fields.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Dixon, Jamie, "Transracial Adoptees and Their Romantic Relationships: An Exploration of Identity and Relationship Health in Emerging Adulthood" (2025). UVM Patrick Leahy Honors College Senior Theses. 712.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/hcoltheses/712