Does Adoption Affect the Adolescent Eriksonian Task of Identity

In this paper, the traditional meaning of identity, assigned by Erik Erikson as the adolescence-stage developmental task, is investigated. The significance of identity formation in lifelong development is also examined. There is significant clinical and theoretical evidence that adoption has a significant effect on this developmental task; this evidence and the conclusions previously drawn from it are reviewed and synthesized. The specifics of new understandings of the meaning and process of identity formation are also examined, and then applied to the task for adoptees of establishing self-concept in terms of their adoptive status. Further evidence from studies of adoptive identity is reviewed and considered in terms of developmental importance. Finally, conclusions are drawn regarding the steps that adoptive parents can take to increase their children’s chances of successful identity formation and integration, resulting in a healthier overall adoptive experience and decreased chances of psychological problems.