Birth country identification and exploration in adolescents internationally adopted from Russia

In this study, we examined identification and interest with birth country, perceived discrimination, and related issues through self-report in 69 adolescents adopted from Russia to Spain. The adolescents showed a high degree of interest in their birth country, and most of them considered that their birth country is a part of their identity. There were differences in birth-country related variables depending on how much adopted adolescents felt others perceived them as foreigners. Considering internationally adopted youth needs regarding their origins, even in traditionally considered “same-race” adoptions, is essential for supporting them in the path towards integrated identity development.