Effect of Transracial Adoption on Racial Identity Development : A Phenomenological Arts-Based Self-Study

Abstract

Current conceptualizations of the impacts of transracial adoption on racial identity development lack a centering of adoptees' perspectives and, furthermore, have yet to be explored through an arts-based approach. In this study, a phenomenological self-study approach was employed, utilizing art-based processes to explore the impacts of transracial adoption on racial development. The methodological structure included six weeks of self-study exploring relevant themes pulled from the literature review, including identity, adoption, cultural identity, and emerging adulthood. Weeks 1 to 4 explored each theme individually, while the last two weeks explored the intersection of all themes combined. Art making utilized 2D and 3D materials occurred twice a week for at least an hour and was analyzed to record sub-themes post-art making. This exploration found that this structure provided a place to artistically express complicated emotions surrounding the intersecting themes related to transracial adoption and facilitated the emergence of sub-themes to consider in further research. This designed self-study structure empowers the transracial adoptee's voice, providing an outlined method that other adoptees may utilize to deepen self-identity understanding. Moreover, this research informs the greater understanding of the impacts that transracial adoption has on adoptees.