P-485 An exploration of psychological, emotional and social wellbeing among donor conceived young adults in the UK
Authors: Ridley-Jones C , Jadva V , Zadeh S 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Do donor conceived young adults differ from those not donor conceived on key indicators of wellbeing?

Summary answer

In contrast to findings in childhood and adolescence, young adulthood may prove to be a challenging time for donor conceived individuals and influence their wellbeing.

What is known already

Although research has shown that the psychological adjustment of donor conceived children and adolescents generally does not differ to those conceived in more traditional circumstances, most studies have focussed on the family factors that are associated with an absence of adjustment problems amongst this population. Little research has explored social factors and broader definitions of wellbeing including positive wellbeing and life satisfaction. Further, few studies have focused on young adulthood; a time at which identity exploration is often heightened.

Study design, size, duration

Data were collected via an anonymous online survey between January and August 2022. The survey was designed in consultation with two community partners in the UK, the Donor Conception Network (DCN) and Donor Conceived Register Registrants’ Panel (DCRRP) and was piloted by donor conceived adults. Participants were recruited with assistance from the community partners and via social media and snowballing. All participants provided written consent to take part in the survey.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

92 young adults (18-30 years-old) in the UK took part, of which 80% identified as female. 41 participants were donor conceived and 51 were not. The majority (78%) of donor conceived young adults were conceived by sperm donation. All participants were asked demographic information and completed standardised questionnaires of mental health, satisfaction with life, gratitude, mastery, collective self-esteem, identity confusion, and resilience. Adapted measures of stigma and pride were also administered to donor conceived participants.

Main results and the role of chance

Donor conceived participants reported less gratitude about their circumstances than participants who were not donor conceived, t(90) = 3.47, p&lt;0.001, felt less control over their life and future, t(90)=-2.58, p=0.01, felt their social groups were not as central to their identity, t(90)=-2.81, p&lt;0.01, reported lower general wellbeing, t(90)=-2.78, p&lt;0.01, and lower satisfaction with life, t(73.81)=-3.59, p&lt;0.001. No differences were found on measures of acceptance of identity or resilience.

Among the donor conceived young adults, 18 (44%) reported that they felt they had always known they were donor conceived, whereas 23 (56%) could remember the point at which they were told (ranging from 9-27 years). Participants who reported having always known about being donor conceived had lower scores on the adapted stigma measure, t(39),=2.83, p&lt;0.01, and higher scores on the adapted pride measure, t(39)=-2.68, p&lt;0.05. Stigma was negatively correlated with general wellbeing, r(39)=-4.6, p &lt; 0.01.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The relatively small sample was self-selected and partly recruited via support organisations for donor conceived people and lacked diversity regarding participant gender and donation type. Though the donor conceived young adults scored lower on wellbeing measures, the scores were close to population averages. The data is cross-sectional.

Wider implications of the findings

Findings suggest that greater support, which recognises and is tailored to the needs of donor conceived young adults, is needed. Such support resources should specifically consider findings relating to the relationship between disclosure and wellbeing, and stigma and wellbeing, for donor conceived people in young adulthood.

Trial registration number

Not applicable