1987-1990 Openness in Adoption and Birthmother Adjustment
Investigators: Ruth G. McRoy

The ongoing study "Openness in Adoption and Birthmother adjustment" was designed to examine the consequences of variations in openness for all members of the adoption triad: birthmothers, adoptive parents, and adopted children. A total sample of 720 individuals (169 birthmothers, 190 adoptive mothers, 190 adoptive fathers, and 171 children) was secured with the assistance of 35 adoption agencies from across the United States. Children were placed as infants through adoption agencies four to twelve years prior to the time of the study. Data Set #M7 represents one part of this ongoing study and is comprised of information from 169 birthmothers on 35 variables, including birthmother age, education, occupation, marital status, income, ethnicity, and religious affiliation; number of birth children; and adopted child's sex. This data set also includes birthmothers' scores from the Harter Self-Perception Profile for Adults.