Using the multiple minority stress theory and intersectional theory, this article examines how adult transracial LGBTQIA+ adoptees are also affected by multiple minority stress. Using a decolonial lens, this article will help counselors and other mental health professionals understand how to serve adoptee clients with intersectional identities.
AsanteG.HancheyJ. N. (2021). Decolonizing queer modernities: The case for queer (post)colonial studies in critical/cultural communication. Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, 18(2), 212–220. https://doi.org/10.1080/14791420.2021.1907849
2.
Authoret al., (2025). Transracial Adoption in Mixed Race Relationships. In RaghunandanS.MoodleyR.KenneyK., (Eds). The Routledge International Handbook of Interracial and Intercultural Relationships and Mental Health. Routledge.
3.
BadenA. L.TreweekeL. M.AhluwaliaM. K. (2012). Reclaiming culture: Reculturation of transracial and international adoptees. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90(4), 387–399. https:// https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2012.00049.x
BonovitzC. (2006). Unconscious communication and the transmission of loss. In HusionK.ShermanS. B.SiskindD. (Eds.), Under- standing adoption (pp. 11–33). Rowman & Littlefield.
6.
BrancoS. (2023). Transracial adoption-informed genograms: Beyond the broken line. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Teaching Practice Briefs: Anti-racism and Fostering Inclusive Classrooms, 1(1), 19–32.
7.
BurtonC. M.MarshalM. P.ChisolmD. J.SucatoG. S.FriedmanM. S. (2013). Sexual minority-related victimization as a mediator of mental health disparities in sexual minority youth: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(3), 394–402. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-012-9901-5
8.
CénatJ. M. (2022). Complex racial trauma: Evidence, theory, assessment, and treatment. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 18(3), 675–687. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916221120428
9.
CloonanV.BrancoS. (2024). Racial and ethnic identity of transnational adoptees: A model reflecting the lived experience of adult Colombian adoptees. The Family Journal, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807241292057
CyrusK. (2017). Multiple minorities as multiply marginalized: Applying the minority stress theory to LGBTQ people of color. Journal of Gay; Lesbian Mental Health, 21(3), 194–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2017.1320739
12.
DellaCavaF. A.PhillipsN.EngelM. H. (2004). Adoption in the U.S.: The emergence of a social movement. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 31(4), 141–160. https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3030
13.
EhlkeS. J.BraitmanA. L.DawsonC. A.HeronK. E.LewisR. J. (2020). Sexual minority stress and social support explain the association between sexual identity with physical and mental health problems among young lesbian and bisexual women. Sex Roles, 83(5–6), 370–381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-019-01117-
14.
FarrR. H.VázquezC. P.PattersonC. J. (2020). LGBTQ adoptive parents and their children. In LGBTQ-parent families. Innovations in Research and Implications for Practice (2nd ed., pp. 45–64). Springer.
15.
GoneJ. P. (2021). Decolonization as methodological innovation in counseling psychology: Method, power, and process in reclaiming American Indian therapeutic traditions. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 68(3), 259–270. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000500
16.
GoodwinB.PharrisA. B.NataleA. P. (2024). Affirming care for adoption and Foster Youth: A clinician’s guide to essential considerations for working with LGBTQIA + youth. Clinical Social Work Journal, 53, 100–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-024-00937-y
17.
GossD. (2022). The complexities of mixed families: Transracial adoption as a humanitarian project. Genealogy, 6(2), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy6020033
18.
GrigoropoulosI. (2021). Narrating displacement adoptees’ challenges due to minority stress. Journal of Child; Adolescent Trauma, 15(3), 811–820. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-021-00403-8
19.
HamiltonE.SamekD. R.KeyesM.McGueM. K.IaconoW. G. (2015a). Identity development in a transracial environment: Racial/ethnic minority adoptees in Minnesota. Adoption Quarterly, 18(3), 217–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926755.2015.1013593
20.
HjernA.PalaciosJ.VinnerljungB.ManhicaH.LindbladF. (2020). Increased risk of suicidal behaviour in non-European international adoptees decrease with age-A Swedish national cohort study. Eclinical Medicine, 29,1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100643
21.
KriederR. M. (2020). US Adoption by the numbers. In WrobelG. M.HelderE.MarrE. (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of adoption (pp. 21–34). Taylor and Francis Group.
22.
KriederR. M.RaleighE. (2016). Residential racial diversity: Are transracial adoptive families more like multiracial or White families?Social Science Quarterly, 97(5), 1189–1207. https://doi.org/ 10.1111/ssqu.12242
23.
LeeR. M.GrotevantH. D.HellerstedtW. L.GunnarM. R. (2006). Cultural socialization in families with internationally adopted children. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(4), 571–580. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.20.4.571
24.
LickD. J.DursoL. E.JohnsonK. L. (2013). Minority stress and physical health among sexual minorities. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(5), 521–548. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691613497965
25.
McConnellE. A.JanulisP.PhillipsG.TruongR.BirkettM. (2018). Multiple minority stress and LGBT community resilience among sexual minority men. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 5(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000265
MontgomeryJ. E.JordanN. A. (2018). Racial–ethnic socialization and transracial adoptee outcomes: A systematic research synthesis. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 35(5), 439–458. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-018-0541-9
28.
MullanJ. (2023). Decolonizing therapy: Oppression, historical trauma, and politicizing your practice. W. W. Norton & Company.
29.
OzbayF.JohnsonD. C.DimoulasE.MorganC.CharneyD.SouthwickS. (2007). Social support and resilience to stress: From neurobiology to clinical practice. Psychiatry (Edgmont, 4(5), 35–40.
30.
RamchandR.SchulerM. S.SchoenbaumM.ColpeL.AyerL. (2021). Suicidality among sexual minority adults: Gender, age, and race/ethnicity differences. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 62(2), 193–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.07.012
31.
UpadhyayN. (2021). Coloniality of white feminism and its transphobia: A comment on burt. Feminist Criminology, 16(4), 539–544. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557085121991337
32.
van der ToornJ.PliskinR.MorgenrothT. (2020). Not quite over the rainbow: The unrelenting and insidious nature of heteronormative ideology. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 34, 160–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2020.03.001
33.
WaltonJ.PriestN.ParadiesY. (2013). ‘It depends how you’re saying it’: The conceptual complexities of everyday racism. Inter- National Journal of Conflict and Violence, 7(1), 74–90.