Purpose

Transracial adoption (TRA), where parents from one race adopt a child from another race, usually occurs with Black children being adopted by White parents in South Africa.

Method

Using multiple case studies (seven children) and a qualitative research design, the self-identity (personal and social) of six- to ten-year-old TRA children was explored. Data were collected from the adoptive parents and teachers by means of semi-structured interviews and the Child Behaviour Checklist. Additionally, parents completed a questionnaire and a Likert-style response scale. Participating children were assessed by an independent psychologist using three projective techniques. The data generated were thematically analysed.

Results

There were six emergent themes, all conducive to healthy self-identity development by securing primary identity motivators of belonging and acceptance. The children exhibited advanced communicative skills and a novel approach to group membership, increasing their social accessibility and inclusion. A distinctive theme was a desire for a dedicated personal space and possessions symbolizing permanence in the family. The universal adoptive elements of loss and rejection was confirmed, possibly more prevalent due to an observable adoptive status and physical dissimilarity from the adoptive family. Intentional parenting promoting healthy self-identity was apparent. Lastly, the importance of placing the children in an accommodating and sensitive school environment was noted.

Discussion

While not a comparative study, and with only seven children, it appears that these TRA children, with the acquisition of positive social skills and a sensitive and purposeful home and school environment, possessed the building blocks necessary to nurture a healthy self-identity.

中文翻译：

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促进和保护南非跨种族收养的年轻儿童不断发展的自我认同

 目的

跨种族收养（TRA），即一个种族的父母收养另一个种族的孩子，通常发生在南非，黑人儿童被白人父母收养。

 方法

通过多个案例研究（七个儿童）和定性研究设计，探索了 6 至 10 岁 TRA 儿童的自我认同（个人和社会）。通过半结构化访谈和儿童行为检查表从养父母和老师那里收集数据。此外，家长还完成了一份调查问卷和李克特式反应量表。独立心理学家使用三种投射技术对参与的儿童进行了评估。对生成的数据进行了主题分析。

 结果

有六个新兴主题，所有主题都通过确保归属感和接受感的主要身份激励因素，有利于健康的自我认同发展。孩子们表现出了先进的沟通技巧和新颖的团体成员身份方法，提高了他们的社交能力和包容性。一个独特的主题是对象征家庭永恒的专用个人空间和财产的渴望。失去和拒绝的普遍收养因素得到证实，由于可观察到的收养状况和与收养家庭的身体差异，这可能更为普遍。有意识的养育促进健康的自我认同是显而易见的。最后，指出了将孩子们置于包容和敏感的学校环境中的重要性。

 讨论

虽然这不是一项比较研究，而且只有七个孩子，但这些 TRA 孩子似乎通过获得积极的社交技能以及敏感和有目的的家庭和学校环境，拥有培养健康的自我认同所需的基础。