An exploration of psychological, emotional and social wellbeing among donor conceived young adults in the UK

Young donor-conceived adults report lower life satisfaction than peers but still score within normal wellbeing ranges

Ridley-Jones, C., Jadva, V., & Zadeh, S. (2024). An exploration of psychological, emotional and social wellbeing among donor conceived young adults in the UK [Conference presentation abstract]. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 40th Annual Meeting, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Human Reproduction, 39(Supplement_1), deae108.827. https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/39/Supplement_1/deae108.827/7704388

Geographic Location: United Kingdom

Research Question: Do donor-conceived young adults differ from those not donor-conceived on key indicators of wellbeing?

Methods: Cross-sectional survey study. Anonymous online survey conducted between January-August 2022. Standardized questionnaires measuring mental health, life satisfaction, gratitude, mastery, collective self-esteem, identity confusion, and resilience. Survey was developed in consultation with community partners (Donor Conception Network and Donor Conceived Register Registrants' Panel).

Sample: 92 young adults aged 18-30 in the UK (41 donor conceived, 51 not donor conceived). Mostly female (80%) and mostly conceived from sperm donation (78%)

Analysis: Statistical comparisons between groups (t-tests, correlations)

Key Findings:

• Young adults who were donor-conceived reported feeling less satisfied with their lives compared to their peers. They showed lower levels of general wellbeing, though their scores were still within normal ranges for the general population.

• Donor-conceived young adults felt they had less control over their lives and their future compared to others their age.

• They were less likely to feel strongly connected to their social groups, suggesting they might struggle more with group identity.

• They expressed less gratitude about their life circumstances than their non-donor-conceived peers.

• Less than half (44%) of the donor-conceived participants had always known about their conception status.

• More than half (56%) found out later in life, with some learning as late as age 27.

• Those who had always known about being donor-conceived showed more positive outcomes. They felt less stigma about their conception status. They expressed more pride in their donor-conceived identity. They generally showed better emotional adjustment.

• The more stigma a person felt about being donor-conceived, the lower their general wellbeing tended to be.

Limitations: Small, self-selected sample. Lack of diversity in gender and donation type. Participants partly recruited through support organizations.

Applications:

• Helping young donor-concieved people deal with stigma might be an important way to improve their overall wellbeing.

• Parents should consider telling their children about their donor conception early in life, as those who always knew showed better wellbeing outcomes.

Funding Source: Not specified

Lead Author: Unable to find information

Regulatory Context:

• Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) serves as independent regulator overseeing fertility treatment and research using human embryos. It was established by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 and amended in 2008.

• Fertility treatment is provided at both NHS and private licensed clinics. Single women, female same-sex couples, and heterosexual couples all have equal legal access to fertility treatments, including donor conception. Since 2013, all women qualify for fertility services regardless of marital status or sexual orientation.

• Donor anonymity law changed in 2005. Donors who registered after April 1, 2005 must be identifiable. Donor-conceived individuals born from donations after this date can request identifying information (name, date of birth, town of birth, last known address) once they turn 18. For those conceived before April 2005, donors are anonymous unless they have chosen to re-register as identifiable.

• If both the donor-conceived person and their half-sibling(s) are on the HFEA Register and request information, the HFEA can tell them whether they’re genetically related. Anyone over 16 can ask the HFEA this question.

• The 10-family limit restricts the number of families that can be created from a single donor at UK licensed clinics; this limit applies to both UK donors and imported donor sperm.

• Donors can only be compensated for verified expenses: £750 per cycle for egg donors and £35 per clinic visit for sperm donors. Only altruistic donation is permitted.