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In this study, we explored racial microaggressions (RMAs) and adoption microaggressions (AMAs) experienced and committed by white adoptive parents of transracial adoptees. Two research questions guided this inquiry: (a) What types of RMAs and AMAs do white adoptive parents of children adopted from China experience and commit? and (b) how is white adoptive parental awareness of race and adoption related to their committing of microaggressions? Based on qualitative coding of interviews conducted with 39 white adoptive parents of Chinese adoptees, the most frequently coded AMA was Biology is Best for experienced AMAs and Phantom Birth Parents for committed AMAs. Alien in Own Land was the most experienced RMA, and Color Evasiveness was the most committed RMA. Parents tended to have high awareness of the AMAs (87%) and RMAs (89%) they experienced from others, yet this awareness did not preclude them from committing RMAs and AMAs within their transracially adoptive family. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Adoption has been viewed as inferior to birthing, carrying social stigma which has resulted in members of the adoption triad, specifically adoptees, experiencing discrimination at all levels of the ecological system (Baden, 2016; Wegar, 2000). Transracial and international adoptees holding marginalized racial or ethnic identities contend with discrimination around their adoption status and their racial designation. Unique to the transracial adoptee experience is belonging to families who do not share their racial and cultural backgrounds. A grounded theory qualitative approach was used to understand the experiences of transracial and international adoptees with racial microaggressions (RMAs) and adoption microaggressions (AMAs). Results from this study reflected interviews from 11 transracial adoptees, with specific attention on AMAs and RMAs. All participants reported experiencing AMAs and RMAs both within and outside of their families. Counselors, counselor educators, and researchers are urged to understand this unique, intersectional experience to develop competency in effectively supporting this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).