Family Ancestry Identity Research Project 360º
Seeking Participants Affected by DNA Discoveries
We are looking for individuals and family members (including family of origin, new genetic family, and chosen family) who have been affected by DNA discoveries, such as unexpected paternity (NPE), donor-conceived parentage (DCP), or late-discovery adoption (LDA). If you are interested in sharing your experience through an interview, we would love to hear from you.
Research Study Eligibility
A research team led by Michele Grethel, Ph.D., LSCW (University of Southern California’s School of Social Work) is enrolling participants in the Family Ancestry Identity Research (FAIR) 360º research study. This study seeks to understand how individuals in families are impacted by the discovery of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic results of unexpected paternity results.
Researchers request that the interested participant (s) meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for the study.
You have experienced unexpected DTC genetic discovery of misattributed paternity (e.g., NPE, DC, or LDA). You could gather at least three family members willing to be interviewed on how your DNA discovery has impacted each of you.
You are a mother who raised a child who discovered DTC genetic misattributed paternity (e.g., NPE, DC, or LDA.).
You are a paternal parent (genetically related paternal parent, a father who raised a child, etc.) whose child discovered DTC genetic misattributed paternity (e.g., NPE, DC, or LDA.).
You are a sibling (raised with or a new genetic relative) of an individual who discovered DTC genetic misattributed paternity (e.g., NPE, DC, or LDA).
You have experienced unexpected misattributed paternity after DTC DNA testing (DC, NPE, or LDA).
Any Family member impacted by DNA discovery.
*Not-Parent Expected, NPE, Unknown Donor Conceived, DC, or Late Discovery Adoption, LDA
Participation is voluntary. If you agree, you will be asked to be interviewed on the phone. The study procedures are anticipated to take between 60 and 90 minutes. Privacy and confidentiality of research participants will be ensured, as holds for any IRB-approved research.
If you have questions or want to participate, please contact Michele Grethel at mgrethel@usc.edu or 917-797-5608.
Recent Research.
Disclosure dilemma: Revealing biological paternity to family and others after unexpected direct-to-consumer genetic results (Grethel, et al., 2024)
Overview of Our Study on the Disclosure Dilemma in Unexpected Paternity Discoveries
With the rise of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing, many individuals are uncovering surprising information about their biological paternity, known as "not parent expected" (NPE) discoveries. Our study examines the complex process of disclosing these findings to family and others, shedding light on the personal and relational impacts of such revelations.
Through in-depth interviews with 27 adults aged 40–70 who received unexpected DTC genetic test results, provide an in-depth exploration of the NPE disclosure process, elucidating participants' experiences, challenges, and considerations as they navigate the complexities of disclosing unexpected biological paternity results to family members and others.this secondary analysis of research identifies the "NPE disclosure dilemma." This dilemma includes challenges such as uncertainty about sharing the discovery, assessing others' reactions, and coping with potential stigma, betrayal, and anger. Disclosure choices are deeply influenced by cultural context, family history, and the desire to connect with new genetic family members to affirm one’s identity.
Unlike other sensitive disclosures, NPE revelations uniquely impact the entire family system, as the information involves multiple family members. Grounded in family systems theory and the disclosure processes model, our findings illuminate the intricate dynamics of sharing NPE discoveries, offering valuable insights into identity, family connections, and the emotional complexities of genetic testing in modern society.
Discovery of unexpected paternity after direct-to-consumer DNA testing and its impact on identity (Grethel, et al., 2022)
Exploring Identity Transformation Following Unexpected Paternity Discoveries Through DNA Testing
This research delves into the emotional journey of adults who received such results, examining how these discoveries reshape identity, family connections, and personal beliefs.
Based on interviews with 27 adults aged 40–70, our findings reveal a profound identity transformation process. Key themes include:
Initial Discovery: Many respondents experienced shock, fear, and a sense of crisis upon learning of unexpected paternity, often feeling a loss of genetic identity.
Identity Exploration: The journey involved intense emotions, a drive to research genealogy, and the challenge of confronting family members about the discovery.
Identity Reconstruction: New familial connections led participants to reconcile with altered family histories and reshape their personal narratives.
Worldview Shift: Many experienced a shift in beliefs about kinship, impacting their perspectives on race, ethnicity, religion, and belonging.
Our research highlights the often isolating and emotionally taxing process of integrating unexpected DNA findings, which can lead to grief, shame, and temporal trauma. This work underscores the need for supportive resources to help individuals navigate the complex impact of these revelations on personal and community identity.
Quotes from Individuals on Their NPE Discovery and the Disclosure Dilemma
Below are reflections from individuals who experienced unexpected biological paternity (NPE) discoveries. Their words offer insight into the emotional and relational challenges of navigating the NPE disclosure process, highlighting the complexities of sharing these revelations with family and understanding the impacts on personal identity and family dynamics.
“Oh my gosh. I couldn't even see. All I could see was like a whirling tornado. Like, I don't know it felt like a frickin’ tornado over my head. It was surreal. I felt like I was losing my family. Just like a tornado. When things fly out of a tornado. I felt like my relatives were going to be ripped away. … Relatives just like being ripped away from me. And I just, I was numb. I just didn't know. It was weird. I was upset. I was, just then I had to calm down and realize, okay they're my family. It's okay, bring yourself back to the present.”
-Participant FAIR DNA Study
“And so I started sleuthing, and I ended up testing everyone on my dad's side of the family. And then also I started going to this woman's site on ancestry and looking at her family tree. And I kind of came up with the idea, narrowed it down to just one man who I thought was my dad.”
-Participant FAIR DNA Study
“You're kind of in this land of being an imposter. You feel a little bit like you're pretending to be part of a club that you're not really part of. And even if you feel like maybe if you told them they'd be like, “Oh that's fine. We love you anyway.” You're just being an imposter. That's what it feels like to me, imposter syndrome. So I think that's hard. Because you can't. … There's no win there. It's bad if you do and bad if you don't.”
-Participant FAIR DNA Study
“It was all about my identity. You have this feeling of, “Who am I?” Everything that I thought was true, is not true. What's going on here? Who am I? And not knowing your medical history is very scary too. I have children. How do I know that, you know, this whole side of the family wasn't inflicted with some kind of disease that is genetic. So that was very upsetting. Luckily it didn't last very long though. Although, again, I couldn't concentrate..”
-Participant FAIR DNA Study
“The other thing I worried [about] in telling the story is people's like, well, this doesn't make your mother look good. I said, well wait a minute. Actually, now I really have more of an emotional tie with my mother and I feel really bad because if you think about it at that time in 1963, it was a very different period of time. And being a woman raising five kids with a husband who was a wet noodle, not around and not supportive and all that, she did incredible. [She] did what she had to do.”
-Participant FAIR DNA Study
“I have 2 days of just hanging out and having fun and going out to dinner and having wine [with my biological mother and sister]. And because that may be the last 2 days I'm ever going to have with Mom. She may kick me out of the house. Never want to see me again after I have to talk with her. I don't know. I just didn't know..”
-Participant FAIR DNA Study
“So he agreed to meet with me, and I was scared he was going to reject me. I was really scared, why did I call him? I thought well, I don't know if I can handle this personal rejection if he doesn't want to talk to me. So, I agreed to meet with him and met him at [a local restaurant] for lunch. He shows up, and he's got a little present for me. And we sat there for 3 hours and talked”
-Participant FAIR DNA Study
“I think the relationship between everyone has gotten better. Because I think the veil of shit that has existed over our family dynamic for the entire time has been lifted. It's like okay, you know what, it's all out. There's no secrets. The secrets are done and we're not harboring secrets anymore. This is bullshit. I think a lot of the secrets that was going on is what caused problems.”
-Participant FAIR DNA Study