The adopted child and his journey of identity research

Abstract EN

This synthesis article aims to study and analyze the relationship between the adoption of an abandoned child and the development of his or her personal identity and the establishment of its features, which may vary from fragility to steadiness through the stability and clarity of the features.

as a summary of the article through the literature on adoption and abandonment, it becomes clear that the effects of abandonment persist in children, and may accompany them to varying degrees depending on the character of the individual: child, adolescent or adult; and according to the availability of the support that ensure a reassuring relationship that makes the child feel psychologically secure.

these effects may be evident at the behavioral level and through an unclear personal-social identity, or on the contrary, the child may be able during his or her different developmental stages to adjust to the situation by activating effective psychological defense.

whatever the effects of abandonment, the idea of searching for a meaning related to his or her past and his or her existence may accompany him or her throughout his or her life.

successful adoption is one that provides the child with opportunities for secure attachment and positive identification and allows him or her to integrate the oedipal relationship in order to optimally position himself or herself between his or her past, present and future, creating a correct distance between both his conscience and his existence.