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Counseling Doctoral Students Receive Grant to Research Experiences of Chinese Adoptees

Sarah Litt (Principal Investigator) and Xihe Tian (Co-PI)— doctoral students in Syracuse University School of Education’s Counseling and Counselor Education program—have received an Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) 2025 research grant.

This ASGW award builds on scholarship funded by a 2024 SOE Graduate Student Research and Creative Grant. “The ASGW Research Committee reviewed several high-quality proposals and selected this project based on its relevance to group work, thorough methodology, attention to ethical practice, and plan for execution and dissemination of findings,” writes Gene N. Dockery, Assistant Clinical Professor, Seattle University College of Education.

Litt’s and Tian’s project seeks to examine the experiences of Chinese adoptees in the US following the cessation of foreign adoptions by the Chinese government, a policy shift impacting more than 80,000 adoptees. When gathering data for their research, Litt and Tian will employ a focus group methodology, “as they are uniquely suited for fostering interpersonal skills and facilitating identity exploration.”

“Focus groups offer participants a structured, open environment to discuss challenges tied to their adoptive identity,” they continue. “While adoption research often centers on youth and adolescent adoptees, focus of this project is on adult adoptees which addressees a significant gap in the literature.”

This project aims to capture the nuanced experiences regarding China’s policy shift on adoptees’ identity and sense of belonging. The researchers hope that the insights derived from their study will inform counselor education, counseling interventions, and resources for Chinese adoptees.

“Findings can also offer critical insights for policymakers, adoption agencies, and advocacy groups committed to supporting adoptees through this period,” add Litt and Tian.

Learn more about the School of Education’s master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and doctoral degree in Counseling and Counselor Education.