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Embryo donation families : a follow-up in middle childhood

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MacCallum, Fiona and Keeley, Sarah. (2008) Embryo donation families : a follow-up in middle childhood. Journal of Family Psychology , Vol.22 (No.6). pp. 799-808. ISSN 0893-3200

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0013197

Abstract

Couples who conceive using donated embryos rear a child to whom they are genetically unrelated. It has been suggested that this may have negative consequences for parenting and child development. Findings are presented of the 2nd phase of an exploratory study of families with a child conceived through embryo donation. Seventeen embryo donation families with a 5- to 9-year-old child were compared with 24 adoptive families and 28 in vitro fertilization families. The quality of the mother's parenting and the child's social and emotional development were assessed using standardized interviews and questionnaires administered to mothers and teachers. Embryo donation children were not at increased risk of psychological problems during middle childhood, and the families were generally functioning well. However, higher emotional overinvolvement of embryo donation parents was found, along with more reluctance to disclose the method of family creation. These preliminary findings are discussed in terms of implications regarding the importance of genetic and gestational relationships between parents and children.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Parent and child, Human reproductive technology, Human reproduction, Artifical insemination, human, Adoption, In vitro fertilization
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Family Psychology
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
ISSN:	0893-3200
Editor:	MacCallum, Fiona
Date:	December 2008
Volume:	Vol.22
Number:	No.6
Page Range:	pp. 799-808
Identification Number:	10.1037/a0013197
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC)
Grant number:	RES-000-22-1740
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/389