International Korean Adoptees' Experiences with Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link’s (G.O.A.'L) Birth Family Search Service Open Access

Abstract

South Korea has sent the most infants and children abroad to other countries to be adopted. This practice of Korean international adoption peaked in the 1980s, making the majority of international Korean adoptees adults now. Adoptees may engage in searching for their birth parents and relatives by contacting their Korean adoption agencies. The adoptee run organization Global Overseas Adoptees’ Link (G.O.A.'L), which is located in Seoul, South Korea, provides a service to help adoptees search for birth family. This study examined G.O.A.'L’s 63 search cases from 2016 and conducted in depth interviews with 10 adoptees who had utilized their service. Results of the cases revealed the number and frequency of a variety of birth family search factors and outcomes. From the interviews, participants shared their perceptions and experiences of searching with G.O.A.'L, the adoption agencies, and other adoptees. The recommendations from the results include continuing G.O.A.'L’s First Trip Home program where adoptees go to Korea and search for family, considerations for needs assessments, awareness efforts to adoptees, and communication updates during the search process. 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................

Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................. 1

Chapter 2: Literature Review ......................................................................................... 4

Chapter 3: Methods ....................................................................................................... 20

Chapter 4: Results .......................................................................................................... 25

Data and Demographics of G.O.A.’L’s Cases in 2016 .................................................... 25

Demographics of Interview Participants .......................................................................... 29

Interview Themes ............................................................................................................. 31

Searching Efforts ............................................................................................................. 32

Staff Impressions ............................................................................................................. 38

Emotional Impact ............................................................................................................. 41

Perceived Barriers ............................................................................................................ 46

Chapter 5: Discussion .................................................................................................... 49

Recommendations ............................................................................................................ 51

Future Research ............................................................................................................... 54

Limitations ....................................................................................................................... 54

Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 55

References ........................................................................................................................ 57

Appendix 1: Interview Guide ........................................................................................... 60

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Adoption South Korea
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Comeau, Dawn L., Emory University
Committee Members	Marvel, Stu, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Community-based non-profit organization (e.g., AID Atlanta)

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