Child development and family relationships in families following ART
Review finds family processes more important than genetic links in ART families
Zadeh, S., & Jadva, V. (2024). Child development and family relationships in families following ART. Early Child Development and Care. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2024.2419466
Geographic Region: Primary regions covered: UK, US, Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, with additional context from multiple countries including Denmark, Norway, Germany, and South Africa.
Research Question: How do family relationships and child development outcomes compare across different types of families formed through third-party assisted reproductive technologies (ART)?
Design: Narrative literature review
Sample: The review includes longitudinal and cross-sectional studies including diverse family types (heterosexual, same-sex female, same-sex male, single mother, single father) and types of ART (sperm donation, egg donation, embryo donation, surrogacy).
Key Findings
Children's adjustment in ART families is comparable to naturally conceived children.
Children in ART families show positive psychological adjustment throughout development from early childhood to adulthood.
Parent-child relationships in ART families are generally positive and of high quality.
Early disclosure about donor conception/surrogacy is associated with more positive family relationships.
Experiences of stigma, particularly for LGBTQ+ families, can impact child outcomes. Having strong family relationships can help protect children from these negative experiences.
Process variables like parenting stress and financial difficulties affect outcomes more than the method of conception.
Family processes are more important for family functioning and child development than family structure, genetic relatedness, or gestational connection.
Having support from family, friends, and professionals helps ART families thrive. Connection with other similar families can be helpful. Access to counseling and support services is important.
Limitations: Most studies conducted in Global North countries. Limited long-term follow-up studies into adulthood. Limited understanding of impact of donor identifiability on outcomes.
Applications: Healthcare providers should support parents in developing disclosure strategies. Parents should practice early disclosure about donor conception, focus on building strong family relationships, and take care of their own mental health.
Funding Source: Not explicitly stated
Lead Author: Sophie Zadeh is a Reader in Family Psychology at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. Her research primarily focuses on the experiences and outcomes of family diversity, with a particular emphasis on families formed through donor-assisted conception
Regulatory Context: Regulatory frameworks vary across countries.