Experiences of Misattributed Parentage Communities: Impacts of Discovering New Familial Kinships

Abstract

Finding out about misattributed parentage experiences often leads to identity shock and new medical histories. Many individuals learn about new genetic family members through direct-to-consumer DNA tests. These individuals’ relationships with their raising families are often upended, while new ones are formed with biological families. The paper reports findings from a survey of 605 individuals from Facebook misattributed parentage experience (MPE) support groups broken down into three communities (Adoptees, Assisted Conception, Nonpaternal Event (NPE), and Rape/Assault (a subgroup of NPE)). Findings reveal significant differences among MPE communities in terms of relationships with raising and newly discovered biological families, medical histories, identity impacts, attitudes, and resource use.