As part of the Korean Adoption Project and our other adoption research, we have developed new constructs and measures, and modified existing measures, to address the unique lived experiences of adopted individuals. For questions or inquiries, feel free to reach out.
Adoption-Specific Measures
Adoptive Identity Scale*
The adoptive identity scale captures how adopted individuals understand, and feel about, being adopted.
*This is a modified form of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (Lee & Yoo, 2004; Phinney, 1992; Roberts et al., 1999). Our version first appeared in Beaupre et al. (2015).
Birth Family Thoughts Scale
The birth family thoughts scale (6-items) captures how adopted individuals think about birth family and culture.
Key findings include:
- Thinking about birth family is a normative experience for adopted individuals
- Thinking about birth family is not representative of a negative relationship with adoptive family
Kim, A. Y., Kim, O. M., Hu, A. W., Oh, J. S., & Lee, R. M. (2020). Conceptualization and measurement of birth family thoughts for adolescents and adults adopted transnationally. Journal of Family Psychology, 34(5), 555-565. doi.org/10.1037/fam0000631
Diasporic Identity Scale
The diasporic identity scales captures how transnationally adopted individuals come to understand themselves through connection to their homeland (homeland yearning) and connection to other adoptees from their homeland (co-ethnic solidarity).
Kim, A. Y., Zhou, X., & Lee, R. M. (2021). Theory and development of the Diasporic Identity Scale with adopted Korean Americans. Adoption Quarterly, 24(4), 304-328. doi.org/10.1080/10926755.2021.1976337
Transracial, Transnational Adoption Discrimination Scale
The transracial, transnational adoption discrimination scale captures the unique discriminatory experiences that transracially, transnationally adopted individuals experience.
Lee, R. M., Blankenau, A., & Kim, A. Y. (in press). Development of the Transracial, Transnational Adoption Discrimination Scale. In T. Yip, & A. Zhao (Eds.), Cambridge Handbook of Ethnic/Racial Discrimination and Youth Development. Cambridge.