Experiential Acceptance and Psychological Well-Being in Korean-Born Adoptees

Previous research on Korean-born adoptees suggests that exploring one's ethnic identity may increase one's psychological well-being. Existing research also suggests that some adoptees may not engage in ethnic identity exploration because they wish to avoid feeling different because of their adopted status. The current study sought to integrate these findings and investigate associations between experiential acceptance of adoption-related thoughts and feelings, ethnic identity, and psychological well-being in a Korean-born adoptee population (N = 91). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that experiential acceptance significantly contributed to both psychological well-being and development of a positive ethnic identity. Clinical implications for therapists and families are discussed.