De behoeften aan openheid, lotgenotencontact en gespecialiseerde counseling voor donorkinderen1

Abstract

Abstract Being a donor-child: wishes for parental support, peer support and counseling Most studies on donor-conceived offspring have shown that secrets in families about the genetic origin of the child can harm the parent-child relationship and as a consequence early disclosure of donor conception is recommended. Data on whether donor-conceived offspring appreciate guidance to cope with their questions and feelings related to being a donor-child are not available. We held semi-structured in-depth interviews with male and female donor-conceived offspring (Mage = 26.9, range 17-41) born within father-mother (n = 11), two-mother (n = 7), or single mother families (n = 6). The majority of donor offspring (n = 20) were descendants of anonymous donors. The interviews were fully transcribed and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Donor-conceived offspring would have appreciated openness from their parents about being a donor-child and wished that their parents would have received specialist guidance before donor sperm treatment. They valued the availability of peer contact to exchange stories and would have liked assistance in getting access to trustful information about characteristics and identifying information of their donor. Donor-conceived offspring wished to know where to find counsellors for guidance when needed. Donor-conceived offspring missed guidance by their parents, appreciated peer-support and the availability of guidance by counsellors for themselves. Our findings demonstrate that peer support and guidance by counsellors for donor-conceived offspring should be available for those who need it. The findings also support counselling to intended parents before donor sperm treatment.