Ecological influences on the ethnic identity development of female Korean-born transracial adoptees

The purpose of this study was to examine the ecological influences on ethnic identity development in female Korean-born transracial adoptees and how contributors informed that process. Exploration of ethnic identity development was done with specific attention to female adoptees, as it is believed the gender of the child has a significant role in this process. Fifteen women who were born in Korea and adopted to Caucasian parents in the U.S. participated in in-depth interviews that explored their ethnic identity development over the years.;This study was informed by two theoretical frameworks: human ecological theory, and critical race feminism with an ethnic identity lens. Feminist interviewing methods were utilized to gather qualitative data through in-depth interviews and triangulated with written reflective journal responses. This process allowed for the intersection of being adopted, female and Asian to be explored. In addition, the use of these perspectives allowed for the themes of oppression, racism and gender to come to the forefront.;Qualitative data analysis revealed several major themes related to the process of ethnic identity and the external contributions to how the adoptees viewed themselves in various contexts throughout their lives. These themes related to their adoptive family life, perceptions of their adoption, interactions with Korea, ethnic identity journey, current circumstances and their future hopes and fears.;The findings of this study also point to the process of ethnic identity development as a life-long journey that involves various ecological influences. It was found that as adoptees are faced with new experiences and interactions with larger systems they are forced to re-evaluate the cultural messages that are imbedded within our culture about who she is versus who she believes she is. The findings also have several implications related to ethnic identity development in terms of providing information for adoptive parents and clinicians who work with transracial adoptive families, or transracial adoptees.