Adoptees' Romantic Relationships: Comparison with Nonadoptees, Psychological Predictors and Long-term Implications of the Adoption Pathway

International audienceThe aim of the study was to compare adoptees and nonadoptees regarding their romantic relationship experiences and model the factors that predict these experiences (psychological characteristics and characteristics of their adoption pathway). Attachment, resilience, mental health, dyadic adjustment and commitment were assessed in 220 adopted adults matched with 220 nonadoptees. The groups did not differ on the experience of romantic love. Psychological characteristics were predictive of romantic experience. By contrast, romantic experience was not predicted by most of our adoption pathway-related characteristics. Finally, the effect of attachment security on dyadic adjustment was moderated by the group (adoptees vs nonadoptees)