June 2013 PMID 23176601

Children born through reproductive donation: a longitudinal study of psychological adjustment.

Susan Golombok, Lucy Blake, Polly Casey, Gabriela Roman, Vasanti Jadva

Mentions

27
Peak: 2 in Feb 2019
across 5 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

49,542
potential audience

Total likes

651

Video views

17,832

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter11 posts
  • News9 articles
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Various discussions highlight the study's findings on psychological adjustment, especially noting how secrecy about origins increases distress, which indicates concern and engagement with the topic. For example, mentions of increased difficulties at age 7 and the importance of parental transparency demonstrate meaningful analysis, with a tone that questions and explores the societal implications of the research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the study's findings, especially regarding the differences in adjustment difficulties among children born via reproductive donation.

InterestModerate interest

Posts show a moderate level of curiosity, with some referencing related studies and ongoing debates in reproductive ethics.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments reflect thoughtful analysis, mentioning mothers' secret-keeping and comparing different types of reproductive methods, indicating active engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest a recognition that the findings could influence social and ethical perspectives on reproductive donation practices.

Abstract in brief

  • This study investigates the psychological adjustment of children born via reproductive donation, including surrogacy, egg donation, and donor insemination, compared to children born naturally.
  • Parenting quality at age 3 and children's adjustment at ages 3, 7, and 10 were assessed, revealing that surrogacy children showed more adjustment difficulties at age 7, particularly when mothers kept their child's origins secret.
  • The findings suggest that not having a gestational connection to the mother may be more impactful on a child's well-being than the lack of a genetic link.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Angelica
@McDworkinite · X

@Rei57Cebum @estherzelda0514 https://t.co/v7nmL8jHrX “Although children born through reproductive donation obtained SDQ scores within the normal range, surrogacy children showed higher levels of adjustment difficulties at age 7”

Mar 19, 2025 · 5 likes · 105 followers View post →
OriginalLiberal
@clownltjokerrt · X

@fletchermadtown @SurrogConcern This one actually baselines normal pregnancy & compares among types etc - Although children born through reproductive donation obtained SDQ scores within normal range, surrogacy children showed higher levels of adjustment difficulties at age 7 than others https://t.co/PHBKhT9RMP

Nov 14, 2023 · 3 likes · 619 followers View post →
Elena Postigo
@PostigoElena · X

2. "Children born through reproductive donation: a longitudinal study of psychological adjustment" https://t.co/F1UV9yp67K #bioethics #surrogacy

Feb 21, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 19,053 followers View post →
Amy
@amy_likes_owls · X

@chadfelixg @JennaEllisEsq "...conceived through gamete donation. Also, mothers who kept their child's origins a secret experienced increased distress." https://t.co/svQCzoPH0S

Dec 2, 2023 · 1 like · 3,876 followers View post →
Golgotha
@Burner1669891 · X

@biederman_53326 @AbolitionUnited @ostrachan For homosexual parents, see Sullins, D. P. (2015). “Emotional problems among children with same-sex parents” For surrogacy, see Golombok, S., Blake, L., Casey et al (2013). “Children born through reproductive donation: A longitudinal study of psychological adjustment.”

Jul 17, 2025 · 1 like · 255 followers View post →
Matthew
@void_type · X

@FeministPhilos @ReisterRei I think this is the study https://t.co/ogwPfcjDFU

May 17, 2023 · 1 like · 246 followers View post →

All mentions

Golgotha
@Burner1669891 · X

@biederman_53326 @AbolitionUnited @ostrachan For homosexual parents, see Sullins, D. P. (2015). “Emotional problems among children with same-sex parents” For surrogacy, see Golombok, S., Blake, L., Casey et al (2013). “Children born through reproductive donation: A longitudinal study of psychological adjustment.”

Jul 17, 2025 · 1 like · 255 followers View post →
Angelica
@McDworkinite · X

@Rei57Cebum @estherzelda0514 https://t.co/v7nmL8jHrX “Although children born through reproductive donation obtained SDQ scores within the normal range, surrogacy children showed higher levels of adjustment difficulties at age 7”

Mar 19, 2025 · 5 likes · 105 followers View post →
Jim
@ajahnjim · X

@Misterman1978 @SurrogConcern @BBCSport @tomdal It's a difficult thing to study, for obvious reasons. But the research there is isn't unanimously positive (see link) I hope that you're right, otherwise we've all been bystanders in an extraordinarily cruel social experiment. https://t.co/N5b6TmoSsl

Jul 30, 2024 · 18 followers View post →
Penelope Piper
@Peacemaker811 · X

@The_Perc_Fiend @Crispypng @MichaelNineveh Nope it's a fact. https://t.co/chq3nBWjvZ

Feb 11, 2024 · 1,831 followers View post →
Amy
@amy_likes_owls · X

@justinedeter @benappel "...conceived through gamete donation. Also, mothers who kept their child's origins a secret experienced increased distress." https://t.co/svQCzoPH0S

Dec 4, 2023 · 3,876 followers View post →
Amy
@amy_likes_owls · X

@chadfelixg @JennaEllisEsq "...conceived through gamete donation. Also, mothers who kept their child's origins a secret experienced increased distress." https://t.co/svQCzoPH0S

Dec 2, 2023 · 1 like · 3,876 followers View post →
OriginalLiberal
@clownltjokerrt · X

@fletchermadtown @SurrogConcern This one actually baselines normal pregnancy & compares among types etc - Although children born through reproductive donation obtained SDQ scores within normal range, surrogacy children showed higher levels of adjustment difficulties at age 7 than others https://t.co/PHBKhT9RMP

Nov 14, 2023 · 3 likes · 619 followers View post →
Surrogate Voices
@SurrogateVoices · X

@fatmogs1 @PaulineMakov @GTFGla @CIAMS_Coalition @scum_officiel @FiLiA_charity https://t.co/U4uYsnTckL

Oct 15, 2023 · 66 followers View post →
Matthew
@void_type · X

@FeministPhilos @ReisterRei I think this is the study https://t.co/ogwPfcjDFU

May 17, 2023 · 1 like · 246 followers View post →
MaruTadeus
@MaruTadeus · X

RT @PostigoElena: 2. "Children born through reproductive donation: a longitudinal study of psychological adjustment" https://t.co/F1UV9yp67…

Feb 21, 2019 · 1 share · 1,761 followers View post →
Elena Postigo
@PostigoElena · X

2. "Children born through reproductive donation: a longitudinal study of psychological adjustment" https://t.co/F1UV9yp67K #bioethics #surrogacy

Feb 21, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 19,053 followers View post →