The Impact of Embryo Donation Technology on Child Psychological Adjustment and parenting styles: A Comparative Study

Despite the remarkable advancements in the use of embryo donation, concerns have arisen regarding its potential effects on the psychological well-being of children conceived through this assisted reproductive technology and their parent-child relationships. The aim of the study is to evaluate children's psychological adjustment and parenting style in families with donor-conceived children and compare them with the normal population.

A historical cohort study was conducted to assess the psychological adjustment of 31 children aged 3 to 7 years born via embryo donation and to compare the results with those of 30 age-matched children from families who conceived naturally using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The sample size was determined using G power, and the samples were selected using a convenient sampling method. Parenting styles within these families were also evaluated using the Baumrind Parenting Styles Inventory through clinical interviews.

Although 8 out of 31 children born through embryo donation (25.8%) and 3 out of 30 children from families with natural conception exhibited psychological maladjustment, this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.249). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in parenting styles between the two groups (P values for permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative parenting styles were 0.424, 0.656, and 0.219, respectively).

The lack of genetic parent-child relationships does not seem to be a dominant factor affecting the psychological adjustment of children or parenting styles.