Unmarried mothers’ experiences of closed adoption: Scoping Review

The aim of this review is to map the literature on mothers’ lived experiences following the adoption of their children under closed adoption arrangements, to synthesise existing research findings and to identity gaps in our knowledge. Following Arksey and O'Malley’s guidelines, using four academic databases, Google Scholar, plus backward and forward citation searches, it identifies 50 empirical papers for review. Thematic analysis of the papers generated overarching patterns, themes and a marked level of consensus relating to disenfranchised grief and ambiguous loss; shame; coercion; mental health and wellbeing; search and reunion; and mothers’ experiences of professional responses and interventions. These papers identify longer-term outcomes, and, while some mothers appear to have adjusted to their loss without adverse consequences, many mothers encountered a range of challenges with significant consequences across their life course. The findings underscore the critical importance of readily accessible and effective adoption support that acknowledges and addresses women’s vulnerability from initial contact with the adoption agency onwards. Having experienced isolation, secrecy and a lack of post-placement support, many women distrust adoption agencies’ intentions and favour peer support groups. There is considerable scope for further research and recommendations are indicated.