Review of benefits and risks for children in open adoption arrangements

Abstract

Following changes to our country's child protection legislation in 2015, adoptees in Spain have the possibility of post-adoption contact with their birth families. This review aims to provide social workers with a resource to guide their decision-making by evaluating both the benefits and risks associated with open adoption. Of the 26 studies reviewed, 22 reported benefits and 8 discussed risks. Overall, contact with birth families is more commonly associated with positive than with negative outcomes for the adoptee, especially when the adoptive family is capable of communicative openness. The results support current policy on open adoptions, but in line with previous research, we emphasize the need for contact arrangements to be decided on a case-by-case basis and to be monitored.