Transracial adoptees: developmental status after 17 years

At the fifth phase of a longitudinal study of transracial adoption outcomes, 52 adolescents of black descent adopted in infancy were examined with respect to racial self-identity, general adjustment, and self-esteem. The 34 adolescents adopted into white families and the 18 adopted into black families identified themselves as black or of mixed race in similar proportions, and most were found to be well adjusted and to have good or very good self-esteem. The findings offer implications for adoption policy and placement decisions.