Phebe Brako-Owusu, in fulfilling the requirements for a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Antioch University’s Seattle campus, has written and published a dissertation titled, Mental Health Experiences of Transracial Adoptees of the Global Majority (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – BIPOC).
This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of transracial adoptees of the global majority (BIPOC), focusing on their bicultural identity integration and its impact on mental health. During semi-structured interviews, nine participants shared their stories of navigating cultural and racial dynamics as adoptees in predominantly White adoptive families and communities. The findings revealed six core themes: (1) the Quest for Bicultural Identity Formation, (2) Cultural Integration and Adaptation, (3) Navigating Racial and Cultural Tensions, (4) the Role of Family in Cultural Integration, (5) the Importance of Community and Support Systems, and (6) Mental Health and Therapeutic Experiences, demonstrating the complex interplay of identity, mental health challenges, and the healing potential of culturally responsive therapy. This study underscores the need for increased cultural competency in adoptive parenting and mental health interventions to better support the unique experiences of transracial adoptees of the global majority.
Brako was born and raised in Ghana. Her passion for helping immigrants build a home away from home led her into private practice in 2016, and in 2021 she founded 253 Therapy and Consult in University Place, WA to mentor the next generation of therapists. Her research interests include transracial adoption and mental health experiences of African immigrants in the diaspora. She is the host of the podcast, Immistories, advocating for mental wellness for the Ghanaian community.
Read and download Brako-Owusu’s dissertation, Mental Health Experiences of Transracial Adoptees of the Global Majority (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – BIPOC here.
