Before we proceed, let me first tell you a little about myself and my background. I’m a donor-conceived person who was born via sperm donation in 1991. I’m also a trained Social/Personality Psychologist. I obtained my doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2021, and shortly after, began my position as an Assistant Professor of Psychology & Sociology at California Northstate University. In this role, I have taught various undergraduate courses, spearheaded several committees, and conducted mixed-methods research with a team of undergraduates on the topic of attachment, lie detection, and betrayal trauma in donor-conceived people.
My research takes a close look at those impacted by assisted reproduction/donor-conception and their “family” relationships. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a donor-conceived person (DCP) is an individual born through sperm, egg, or embryo donation. It is important to note that DCP come from different family types (i.e., single parent, LGBTQIA+, heterosexual)—there is no one-size-fits-all! Some DCP may have a biological parent, such as a mother whose egg was fertilized with a donor’s sperm, and/or a non-biological parent who plays a role in childrearing but is not the biological parent of the DCP. Specifically, I study the attachment dynamics of DCP—the ways in which they approach their relationships with others (e.g., the donor, parent(s), donor-siblings, etc.).
In addition to my scholarship on attachment in donor-conception, I recently created a startup called Conception Connection, LLCopens in new window which aims to provide DCP with help when it comes to navigating their identity and managing their relationships. Although other advocacy groups (some here in the United States and others abroad) provide aid to DCP, their services are usually short-term in nature, run by volunteers, and rely heavily on the use of peer support. This can leave anyone needing professional support to seek this locally, often without guidance about whom to approach and having to meet associated costs themselves. Thus, the mission of Conception Connection is to be a global, one-stop resource center for the donor-conceived by the donor-conceived. Specifically, we aim to provide results-driven, personalized support for DCP. Not only do we place importance on providing evidence-based information, but we seek to ensure the holistic health and well-being of our community members (both physically and mentally).
Also, if you know anyone who is donor-conceived and interested in services (one-on-one consultations) please contact Elizabeth B. Lozano, PhD.
For additional resources:
Arocho, R., Lozano, E. B., & Halpern, C. T. (2019). Using NSFG to estimate the number of families using donor sperm. Fertility and Sterility, 4, 718-723. Doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.05.031
Lozano, E. B., Fraley, R. C., & Kramer, W. (2019). Attachment in donor conception:
Curiosity, search, and contact. Personal Relationships, 26, 331– 344. Doi: 10.1111/pere.12273