1
|
Paniagua C, Sánchez-Queija I, Moreno C, Rivera F. The romantic relationships of adopted adolescents. J Adolesc 2024; 96:1328-1338. [PMID: 38769806 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a gap in the literature on the romantic relationships of adopted adolescents. To address this issue, the present study has three aims: (1) to explore differences between adopted and non-adopted adolescents in terms of their involvement in and the length of their romantic relationships; (2) to explore the quality of these relationships; and (3) to analyze associations between affective relationships and well-being in both groups. METHOD The sample comprised 276 adopted (64.5% girls; mean age 16.3 years, 73.9% international adoptees) and 276 non-adopted (48.3% girls; mean age 16.3 years) adolescents, all of whom participated in the Spanish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey. RESULTS Similar romantic relationship rates and lengths were found among adoptees and non-adoptees, as well as between international and domestic adoptees. Adoptees reported more emotional support and conflicts in their romantic relationships than their non-adopted peers. Finally, associations between the quality of the romantic relationships and well-being were similar for both groups, with more conflicts being linked to lower levels of well-being, and more emotional support and affection correlating with higher levels of well-being. DISCUSSION The data suggest more similarities than differences between adopted and non-adopted adolescents. However, although this indicates that romantic relationships are yet another example of recovery for adopted boys and girls, further research is required, with larger and more diverse samples from multiple countries, to explore the differences observed in more detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Paniagua
- Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Moreno
- Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Rivera
- Departamento de Psicología Experimental, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang R, Shi M, Zhang Q, Zhang J, Sun L, Jia Y, Zhu Z, Xu T, Zhang Y. The association of early life factors with depression and anxiety in adults aged 40-69 years: a population-based cohort study. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:299. [PMID: 39033162 PMCID: PMC11271466 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03006-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This study was aimed to explore the longitudinal association of five early life factors (breastfeeding, maternal smoking around birth, birth weight, being born in a multiple birth, and adoption) during the in-utero, perinatal, and early childhood development stages with incidence of depression and anxiety in adults aged 40-69 years. We used data from the UK biobank, 5,02,394 participants aged 40-69 years were recruited between 2006 and 2010. Participants provided information on early life exposures through touchscreen questionnaires or verbal interviews at baseline. The primary outcomes, depression, and anxiety, were defined according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each factor were reported. During a median follow-up of 13.6 years, 16,502 (3.55%) participants developed depression, and 15,507 (3.33%) developed anxiety. After adjusting for potential confounders, increased risk of depression was found to be significantly associated with non-breastfeeding (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04-1.13), maternal smoking around birth (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.14-1.23), being born in multiple births (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.27), low birth weight (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.22), and being an adoptee (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.28-1.58). Increased risk of anxiety was associated with non-breastfeeding (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.04-1.13), maternal smoking around birth (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.16), being born in a multiple births (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.95-1.17), low birth weight (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05-1.20), and being an adoptee (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.41). Each of these five early life factors can be considered as early life risk factors for incident depression and anxiety in adulthood independently. The dose-response relationship was also observed, suggesting that with an increase in the number of early life risk factors, the likelihood of experiencing depression and anxiety also increased. These findings highlighted the imperative consideration of early life factors in comprehending the susceptibility to mental health disorders later in life, including non-breastfeeding, maternal smoking around birth, being born in multiple births, low birth weight, and being an adoptee.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mengyao Shi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qilu Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lulu Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yiming Jia
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhengbao Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tan Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yonghong Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Christoffersen MN, Thorup AAE. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in School-age Children: A Nationwide Prospective Birth Cohort Study. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2024; 17:139-157. [PMID: 38938938 PMCID: PMC11199452 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-024-00611-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic childhood events are some of the few identifiable and to some extent preventable causes of psychiatric illness. Children exposed to severely stressful events may react with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and this may impact their level of function in daily life, their future development and mental health. The traumatic stress model suggests that traumatic stress in the family, community violence, and other traumas are regarded as additive environmental factors that can outweigh protective compensatory factors and thus interact with individual vulnerabilities. This study is based on prospective panel data including the whole population of children born in Denmark from 1984 to 1994, who are followed from age 7 to age 18 (N = 679,000) in the window between 2001 and 2012. Risk factors for first-time diagnose with PTSD are analyzed by the discrete time log-odd model. We found a lifetime prevalence of 2.3% PTSD in school-age children (n = 15,636). In accordance with the model, indicators of traumatic stress in the family, family disintegration, community violence, and individual vulnerabilities predicted later diagnose with PTSD. Individual neurodevelopmental disorder - especially autism (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR 7.1) and ADHD (OR 10.7) - were predicative of PTSD. The results cooperated the traumatic stress model. Some results were inconsistent with the traumatic stress model e.g., parental substance abuse were associated with less than expected PTSD in school-age children when adjusted for other risk factors. This indicates that PTSD may be underestimated in these groups. PTSD diagnoses in administrative records underestimate the prevalence, systematically. Efforts to increase PTSD screening may allow for better management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne A. E. Thorup
- Faculty for Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Malcorps S, Vliegen N, Fonagy P, Luyten P. A four-year multi-wave prospective study on the role of parental reflective functioning and parenting stress in the development of socio-emotional problems in internationally adopted children. Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:266-279. [PMID: 36382423 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422001171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Parental reflective functioning (PRF) plays a protective role in the development of children with histories of early adversity, including adopted children. This is the first study to investigate the developmental trajectories of PRF and children's socio-emotional problems in the first 4 years after international adoption (N = 48 families, mean age (T1) = 20.7 months) and to examine the mediating role of parenting stress in the relation between PRF and child socio-emotional problems. Multilevel modeling indicated that age at adoption and parent gender moderated the development of PRF and child socio-emotional problems. Moreover, decreases in PRF were associated with more socio-emotional problems in the children. These relations were mediated by parenting stress, and particularly feelings of incompetence and marital dissatisfaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Malcorps
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicole Vliegen
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Fonagy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Patrick Luyten
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cáceres I, Palacios J, Ferrari L, Ranieri S, Rosnati R, Miller LC, Theie S, Carrera P, de Montclos MOP, Román M. School victimization and psychosocial adjustment among Eastern European adopted adolescents across Europe. Child Care Health Dev 2024; 50:e13217. [PMID: 38265140 DOI: 10.1111/cch.13217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about bullying experienced by internationally adopted teens residing in Europe. OBJECTIVES Within the framework of an international research effort involving several European countries, the main goal of this study was to explore the experiences of bullying victimization suffered by adopted adolescents, as well as its impact on their psychological adjustment. METHODS The sample consisted of 199 adolescents born in Eastern European countries and adopted in France (n = 50), Italy (n = 59), Norway (n = 25) and Spain (n = 65). RESULTS More than half of the adopted adolescents had been exposed to some form of peer victimization in the previous 2 months, with verbal harassment and social exclusion being the most common forms of victimization. Differences between receiving countries were not statistically significant, suggesting a common pattern for Eastern European adopted adolescents living in Western Europe. More frequent experiences of peer victimization were associated with more psychological difficulties among the adopted adolescents. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight that adopted adolescents might have considerable difficulties in social integration with peers; these experiences of peer victimization might play an important role hindering their psychosocial adjustment. The socioemotional development of adopted people is not only linked to their pre-adoptive experiences; factors in their daily lives (i.e., peer relationships) may also be associated with their psychological adjustment later in life. Interventions are needed to promote the real inclusion of these groups of children in their social and educational contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Cáceres
- Developmental and Educational Psychology area, Department of Communication and Education, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Seville, Spain
| | - Jesús Palacios
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Laura Ferrari
- Family Studies and Research University Centre, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sonia Ranieri
- Family Studies and Research University Centre, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Rosnati
- Family Studies and Research University Centre, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laurie C Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA
- GHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Paris, France
| | - Steinar Theie
- GHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Paris, France
| | - Pablo Carrera
- Department of Special Needs Education, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Maite Román
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cassibba R, Balenzano C, Silletti F, Coppola G, Costantini A, Giorgio S, Taurino A, Cheah CSL, Musso P. The Placement of Children in Need of Out-of-Home Care: Forms of Care and Differences in Attachment Security and Behavioral Problems in the Italian Context. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7111. [PMID: 38063541 PMCID: PMC10706020 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20237111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The current paper investigated differences in secure attachment levels and behavioral problems among four groups of children in out-of-home care in Italy: closed adoption (child and birth parents not in contact following adoption), open adoption (child and birth parents still in contact after placement), foster care (child living temporarily with relatives or unrelated foster parents) and institutional care (child in residential care for large groups of children). One hundred and thirty children aged 10-19 were included in this study. The Attachment Interview for Childhood and Adolescence and the Achenbach Youth Self-Report were employed to measure participants' secure attachment levels and behavioral problems. Both a multivariate analysis of covariance and measured variable path analysis were performed. Age, gender and time elapsed between the request for child protection and placement on out-of-home care were used as covariates. The results showed that adolescents in closed adoption had higher secure attachment scores than those in foster care and institutional care, while adolescents in open adoption scored significantly higher on problem behaviors than those in the other out-of-home care groups. Findings were discussed in terms of limitations and implications for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosalinda Cassibba
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.C.); (S.G.); (A.T.); (P.M.)
- Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (C.B.); (A.C.)
| | - Caterina Balenzano
- Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (C.B.); (A.C.)
- Department of Political Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy
| | - Fabiola Silletti
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.C.); (S.G.); (A.T.); (P.M.)
| | - Gabrielle Coppola
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.C.); (S.G.); (A.T.); (P.M.)
- Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (C.B.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandro Costantini
- Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (C.B.); (A.C.)
- Department of Political Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Giorgio
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.C.); (S.G.); (A.T.); (P.M.)
- Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (C.B.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandro Taurino
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.C.); (S.G.); (A.T.); (P.M.)
| | - Charissa S. L. Cheah
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA;
| | - Pasquale Musso
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (F.S.); (G.C.); (S.G.); (A.T.); (P.M.)
- Interdepartmental Training and Research Centre for Care and Protection of Children and Families, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70122 Bari, Italy; (C.B.); (A.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Muzi S, Pace CS. Attachment and alexithymia predict emotional-behavioural problems of institutionalized, late-adopted and community adolescents: An explorative multi-informant mixed-method study. Clin Psychol Psychother 2023; 30:1130-1145. [PMID: 37259169 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Compared to community adolescents (COM), adolescents placed in residential care (RC) or late adopted (LA) appear to show more emotional-behavioural problems. They also appear vulnerable in variables linked to emotional-behavioural problems, such as insecure-disorganized attachment and alexithymia. This study employs a mixed-method multi-informant approach to (1) compare adolescents placed in RC, LA and COM in emotional-behavioural problems, attachment and alexithymia and (2) investigate relationships and interplay of attachment and alexithymia concerning emotional-behavioural problems in these three groups. METHOD Participants were 174 adolescents (50 RC, 33 LA and 91 COM; Mage = 15, 53% boys and 47% girls). Adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed through both caregiver-reported and self-reported questionnaires, while attachment and alexithymia were assessed with a mixed method, using interviews and self-report questionnaires. RESULTS The results showed RC adolescents as more vulnerable in all variables, while LA and COM did not differ. Accounting for the group, attachment and alexithymia cumulatively predicted 25-43% of internalizing problems, and 19-43% of externalizing problems depending on the method of assessment or problems' informant (all p < 0.01). Alexithymia was both an independent predictor and interacted with preoccupied attachment in predicting internalizing problems, while no predictors were isolated for externalizing ones, and the group never indicate an effect on problems' rates. CONCLUSIONS The authors discuss the utility to maintain a research focus on attachment and alexithymia, also suggesting future directions of research. A need to determine potential distortions of results because of problems' informant and method of assessment is also highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Muzi
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Serena Pace
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Centro Italiano Aiuti all'Infanzia (CIAI), Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Melero S, Verdugo L, Sánchez-Sandoval Y. Psychological wellbeing in adult adoptees: current age and developmental tasks. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1190147. [PMID: 37333601 PMCID: PMC10273841 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1190147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Studies about adult adoptees are normally focused on the differences in adjustment difficulties between them and non-adoptees. However, there has been less research about adoptees' positive and developmental adjustment in adulthood. The aim of this study is to test a model of the mediating role of adoptees' achievement of adulthood tasks in the relationship between current age and psychological wellbeing. Materials and methods The sample consisted of 117 adults who were adopted as children by Spanish families. Their current mean age is 28.3 years. Participants underwent an interview and completed Ryff's Psychological WellBeing Scales. Results Findings show that current age is directly and negatively related to psychological wellbeing [c' = -0.039, 95% CI (-0.078, -0.001)], and the relationship between these variables is mediated by adoptees' achievement of adulthood tasks [indirect effect = 0.035, 95% CI (.014, 0.059)]. Discussion The findings support traditional theories about transitioning to adulthood, and adds relevant information about this transition in adoptees. Moreover, this work indicates a new way of assessing adoption success, based on long-term measures and normative variables. Services providers should account for the importance of supporting young people on their life transitions and promoting their wellbeing, especially among those who started from disadvantaged contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Melero
- Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Laura Verdugo
- Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Yolanda Sánchez-Sandoval
- Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), Research Unit Puerta del Mar University Hospital, Cádiz, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Danioni F, Villani D, Ranieri S. Personal Values and Substance Use in Adolescence and Young Adulthood: Risk or Protective Factors? Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:171-179. [PMID: 36540040 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2151312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background: Personal values are desirable trans-situational goals that serve as guiding principles in people's lives and have been widely found to be related to people's behavior. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the relation between personal values and youth involvement in frequency of alcohol and cannabis use and problems related to substance use, comparing two groups of adolescents and young adults: 237 adolescents (age 14-19 years; 58.2% females) and 236 young adults (age 20-30 years; 78.8% females). Participants were asked to fill in an online self-report questionnaire aimed at assessing the constructs of interest. Results: The results showed that openness to change, despite being more prioritized by adolescents, was significantly positively related to frequency of cannabis use and problems related to substance use only for young adults. Conclusions: Implications for preventive interventions and further expansions of the study are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Danioni
- Family Studies and Research University Centre, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Villani
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sonia Ranieri
- Family Studies and Research University Centre, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Piacenza and Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Do the Temperamental Characteristics of Both Mother and Child Influence the Well-Being of Adopted and Non-Adopted Children? CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9081227. [PMID: 36010117 PMCID: PMC9406479 DOI: 10.3390/children9081227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: For decades, the temperaments of infants and small children have been a focus of studies in human development and been seen as a potential contributor to children’s developmental patterns. However, less is known about the interplay between the temperamental characteristics of mothers and their children in the context of explaining variations in developmental outcomes. The aim of our study was to explore the associations—with or without genetic links—of the temperaments and psychological distress of mothers and the temperaments of children with behavioral problems in a group of internationally adopted children and their adoptive mothers and in a group of non-adopted children and their mothers. (2) Methods: Data (n = 170) were derived from the ongoing Finnish Adoption (FinAdo) follow-up study. The children included were under the age of 7 years; 74 were adopted internationally through legal agencies between October 2010 and December 2016, and the remaining 96 were non-adopted children living with their birth parents (biological group) recruited from day-care centers. We used Mary Rothbart’s temperament questionnaires to assess temperament, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to obtain data on the children’s behavioral/emotional problems and competencies, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) to assess parental psychological distress. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland, and written informed consent was obtained from the parents and the children themselves. (3) Results: The negative affectivities of both mothers and children were associated with the total CBCL and with both internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors after adjusting for age, gender, and adoption status. Both relationships remained significant when tested simultaneously, suggesting additive effects. Maternal negative affect was associated with problem behavior irrespective of child extraversion/surgency. Child extraversion/surgency was associated with lower levels of all internalizing behavioral problems when adjusted for maternal sociability. Child negative affect was associated with all behavioral problem measures irrespective of maternal sociability or maternal psychological distress. Maternal distress was associated with child problem behaviors only in children with low extraversion/surgency. (4) Limitations: The sample size was relatively small, and the information was gathered solely with questionnaires. (5) Conclusions: The results of the study may be clinically significant. Child negative affect, maternal negative affect, and maternal experienced distress, combined with low child extraversion/surgency, may increase the risk of child problem behaviors in both adoptees and non-adoptees.
Collapse
|
11
|
Brodzinsky D, Gunnar M, Palacios J. Adoption and trauma: Risks, recovery, and the lived experience of adoption. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 130:105309. [PMID: 34544593 PMCID: PMC8926933 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although a very heterogeneous group, adopted persons may present developmental and mental health problems of varying severity. Pre-placement adversity and trauma have often been linked to these problems. It has been also suggested that adoption itself is a psychological trauma, predisposing the individual to emotional difficulties. OBJECTIVES This article examines the links between early adversity, trauma, and adoption. We begin by defining trauma and then describe the way in which pre-placement adversity can undermine neurobehavioral and interpersonal functioning, increasing the risk for long-term psychological difficulties. Next, we examine children's recovery when placed in a stable adoptive home. Finally, we explore adoption as a lived experience, highlighting contextual and developmental factors that facilitate the person's positive or negative attributions about being adopted, leading to varying patterns of emotional adjustment. CONCLUSIONS Although pre-placement adversity increases adopted individuals' risk for maladjustment, the human brain and behavior are malleable, and placement in a nurturing adoptive home often facilitates recovery from early adversity, with significant heterogeneity in the extent of recovery within and across domains of functioning. While there is no evidence that early adoption is a trauma for the individual, ongoing negative life circumstances, attachment difficulties, and developmentally-mediated attributions about adoption can undermine the person's self-esteem, identity, relationships, and sense of well-being. Conclusions and suggestions for future research are offered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan Gunnar
- University of Minnesota, United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pace CS, Muzi S, Madera F. Emotional-behavioral problems, attachment and verbal skills in late-adopted adolescents: The role of pre-adoption adversities and adoption variables. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 130:105188. [PMID: 34274127 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few studies on late-adopted adolescents' outcomes -e.g., emotional-behavioral problems, attachment and cognitive status- and their possible predictive factors, none from Italy. OBJECTIVE This paper aimed to investigate emotional-behavioral problems, attachment representations, and verbal skills in late-adopted adolescents in Italy and to explore the predictive role of pre-adoption adversities and adoption variables for worse adoptees' outcomes. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING The study included N = 79 late-adopted (mean age at adoption = 6 years) adolescents, between 11 and 18 years, placed via both intercountry and domestic adoption. METHODS Parents provided information about pre-adoption and adoption history and filled the Children's Behavior Checklist 6-18 for measuring participants' emotional-behavioral problems. Attachment representations were assessed through the Friend and Family Interview administered directly to adolescents, like the verbal comprehension index of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (4th edition) for measuring participants' verbal IQ. RESULTS Maltreatment and its interaction with multiple placements were the main predictors of other problems-i.e., social, thought, and identity difficulties (respectively, p = .007 and p = .029)-while intercountry adoption was the unique predictor of both externalizing and total problems (respectively, p = .047 and p = .015). However, domestic adoption was the most important predictor both for higher insecurity and disorganized attachment representations and lower verbal skills (all p < .044); even stronger if domestic adoption interacted with pre-adoptive institutionalization. CONCLUSIONS Pre-adoption adversities as well as domestic vs. intercountry adoption, but not the age at placement, contributed to adolescent adoptees' developmental outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefania Muzi
- Department of Educational Science (DISFOR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Madera
- Department of Educational Science (DISFOR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vinke AJG. Advocating the need for neuro-informed working with intercountry adoptees. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 130:105599. [PMID: 35370013 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intercountry adoption is declining and many adoptees at any point of their life are in search of therapeutic services. Specialized care is scare and regular services seem to be missing the point. Regular therapeutic services do not cater to the specific needs of adoptees because they often forget to take the early adversity into account. Adoption specific therapeutic services are called for worldwide, this needs not be very difficult. Affective neurobiology, trauma and attachment research next to adoption studies have given practitioners many tools to design a sustainable therapeutical practice for both adoption aware assessment as well as adoption aware treatment. OBJECTIVE Advocating a neuro-informed approach to treatment when intercountry adoptees present developmental or other mental health problems. This approach is based on a combination of professional reflection as well as on theory and the idea is that it can be used broadly by clinicians, even when not specifically trained or focused on intercountry adoptions. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Theoretical insights are combined with clinical experience in De Adoptiepraktijk, a private, specialized mental health practice, making the argument for embracing a neuro informed approach in working with intercountry adoptees in the Netherlands. METHODS Theoretical evaluation, argumentation and personal reflection illustrated by a small case study. Results Overview of problems, models and methods to be used in clinical work with intercountry adoptees. CONCLUSIONS Proposition to use theoretical and practical insights from the neurosequential network, dyadic developmental psychotherapy, sensorimotor psychotherapy1 and the polyvagal theory to help clinicians assess the problems adopted clients encounter and plan interventions accordingly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anneke J G Vinke
- Leiden University, Forensic Family and Youth Care Studies, Netherlands Guest Lecturer.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yarger HA, Lind T, Raby KL, Zajac L, Wallin A, Dozier M. Intervening With Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up to Reduce Behavior Problems Among Children Adopted Internationally: Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2022; 27:478-489. [PMID: 33882710 PMCID: PMC8535762 DOI: 10.1177/10775595211010975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Children who have been adopted internationally often exhibit persistent behavior problems. The current study assessed the efficacy of the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up intervention (ABC; Dozier & Bernard, 2019) for reducing behavior problems in 122 children adopted internationally. Behavior problems were measured via parent-report using the Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment at a pre-intervention visit and after the intervention when children were between 18 and 36 months. Children's behavior problems were also observed using the Disruptive Behavior Diagnostic Observation Schedule (DB-DOS) after the intervention when children were 48 and 60 months. Parents who received ABC reported fewer child behavior problems than parents who received the control intervention immediately after the intervention through 1.5 years post-intervention. Additionally, children whose parents received ABC exhibited fewer behavior problems within the parent context of the DB-DOS when they were 48 months old (2 years post-intervention) than children whose parents received the control intervention. There were no significant intervention effects on children's observed behavior problems within the examiner contexts. These results support the efficacy of ABC in reducing behavior problems among children adopted internationally. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00816621.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather A. Yarger
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Teresa Lind
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Child and Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC), San Diego, CA, USA
| | - K. Lee Raby
- Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Lindsay Zajac
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Allison Wallin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Mary Dozier
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
McSherry D, Miranda Samuels GE, Brodzinsky D. An introduction to the adoption and trauma special issue. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 130:105691. [PMID: 35690476 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dominic McSherry
- Reader in Psychology, School of Psychology, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Gina E Miranda Samuels
- The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, United States of America.
| | - David Brodzinsky
- Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Rutgers University, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Schønning V, Sivertsen B, Hysing M, Dovran A, Askeland KG. Childhood maltreatment and sleep in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev 2022; 63:101617. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2022.101617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
17
|
Ligier F, Body Lawson F, Lamourette M, Giguère CE, Lesage A, Séguin M. Comparing Childhood Characteristics of Adopted and Non-adopted Individuals Deceased by Suicide. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:756306. [PMID: 35722592 PMCID: PMC9203736 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.756306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Across the globe more than 35,000 children a year are adopted by non-relatives, and some studies suggest that adopted individuals may be more vulnerable to developing mental disorders. To map the differences in suicide risk factors in adopted and non-adopted individuals, this study will compare the development of mental disorders as well as life events occurring before the age of 18 for both adopted and non-adopted individuals deceased by suicide. METHODS This study included 13 adopted and 26 non-adopted individuals deceased by suicide as well as 26 non-adopted living control individuals. Cases were taken from a data bank created over the last decade by researchers of [our institution] comprising a mixture of 700 suicide cases and living control individuals aged from 14 to 84. Adopted and non-adopted individuals deceased by suicide; adopted individuals deceased by suicide and non-adopted living control individuals were each compared on Axis I and II disorders, early life events, and burdens of adversity. RESULTS Results show significant differences, with a higher rate of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, mental health comorbidity and Cluster C personality disorders among adopted individuals. Furthermore, adopted individuals have higher adversity scores prior to the age of 15. CONCLUSION This study underlines the fact that adoptive families need to be supported throughout adoption. Health care professionals need specialized training on this matter, and the psychological challenges adopted individuals face need to be treated at the earliest juncture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Ligier
- McGill Group on Suicide Studies, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Psychiatry Department, Montréal University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Research Center, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,EA 4360 APEMAC, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.,PUPEA, Centre Psychothérapique de Nancy, Laxou, France
| | | | | | - Charles-Edouard Giguère
- Banque Signature, Research Center, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alain Lesage
- McGill Group on Suicide Studies, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Psychiatry Department, Montréal University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Research Center, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Québec Network on Suicide Research, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Monique Séguin
- McGill Group on Suicide Studies, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Québec Network on Suicide Research, Québec, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Québec University, Québec, QC, Canada.,Centre Intégré de Santé et Service Social de l'Outaouais (CISSSO), Gatineau, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Liskola K, Raaska H, Lapinleimu H, Lipsanen J, Sinkkonen J, Elovainio M. The effects of maternal depression on their perception of emotional and behavioral problems of their internationally adopted children. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2021; 15:41. [PMID: 34425862 PMCID: PMC8383450 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-021-00396-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even though child psychopathology assessment guidelines emphasize comprehensive multi-method, multimodal, and multi-informant methodologies, maternal-report symptom-rating scales often serve as the predominant source of information. Research has shown that parental mood symptomatology affects their reports of their offspring's psychopathology. For example, the depression-distortion hypothesis suggests that maternal depression promotes a negative bias in mothers' perceptions of their children's behavioral and emotional problems. We investigated this difference of perception between adoptive mothers and internationally adopted children. Most previous studies suffer from the potential bias caused by the fact that parents and children share genetic risks. METHODS Data were derived from the Finnish Adoption (FinAdo) survey study (a subsample of adopted children aged between 9 and 12 years, n = 222). The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to assess emotional and behavioral problems and competences of the adopted children. The CBCL was filled in by the adopted children and the adoptive mothers, respectively. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the short version of the General Health Questionnaire. RESULTS On average, mothers reported less total CBCL symptoms in their children than the children themselves (0.25 vs 0.38, p-value < 0.01 for difference). Mothers' depressive symptoms moderated the discrepancy in reporting internalizing symptoms (β = - 0.14 and p-value 0.01 for interaction) and the total symptoms scores (β = - 0.22 and p-value < 0.001 for interaction) and externalizing symptoms in girls in the CBCL. LIMITATIONS The major limitation of our study is its cross-sectional design and the fact that we only collected data in the form of questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS The results of our research support the depression-distortion hypothesis concerning the association of maternal depressive symptoms and child internalizing symptoms and externalizing symptoms in girls in a sample without genetic bias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krista Liskola
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 590, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Hanna Raaska
- grid.15485.3d0000 0000 9950 5666Department of Child Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 590, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Helena Lapinleimu
- grid.410552.70000 0004 0628 215XDepartment of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jari Lipsanen
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Sinkkonen
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Marko Elovainio
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland ,grid.14758.3f0000 0001 1013 0499National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland ,grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ferrari L, Ranieri S, Canzi E, Danioni F, Rosnati RR. The quiet migration of adopted adolescents in Italy: Ethnic identity, reflected minority categorization, and ethnic discrimination. J Prev Interv Community 2021; 50:257-272. [PMID: 33974809 DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2021.1918612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Internationally adopted adolescents face the crucial developmental task of shaping their ethnic identity by balancing their dual belongingness to the current cultural background and the birth country's ethnic background. This process does not depend exclusively on individual variables, but it is embedded within the social context. The present study was aimed at exploring the role of ethnic discrimination in moderating the association between reflected minority categorization, on the one hand, and ethnic identity, on the other. A self-report questionnaire was administrated to 180 internationally adopted adolescents. Results showed that at high levels of ethnic discrimination the relation between reflected minority categorization and ethnic identity in terms of commitment was negative and stronger. When considering instead ethnic identity in terms of exploration, it is possible to note that higher levels of reflected minority categorization were associated with higher levels of exploration. Findings are discussed in light of post-adoption intervention for adoptees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia Ranieri
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Elena Canzi
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
|
21
|
Gallarin M, Torres-Gomez B, Alonso-Arbiol I. Aggressiveness in Adopted and Non-Adopted Teens: The Role of Parenting, Attachment Security, and Gender. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2034. [PMID: 33669739 PMCID: PMC7922939 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship among aggressiveness, parenting practices, and attachment security in adolescents, assessing maternal and paternal effects separately. Two different subsamples of adolescents between 12 and 16 years old participated in the study (n = 157): 67 adopted adolescents (61.2% girls) and 90 non-adopted adolescents (56.7% girls). Partial and full mediation models were analyzed in multi-group structural equation models (using maximum likelihood estimates), allocating non-adoptive and adoptive adolescents into two different groups. Results showed that whereas acceptance/involvement of each parent predicted attachment security towards the corresponding parental figure, only the father's coercion/imposition predicted aggressiveness, and only attachment security to the mother was a (negative) predictor of adolescent's aggressiveness. The partial mediation model provided the most parsimonious explanation for the data, showing no differences between adopted and non-adopted subsamples and supporting a good model fit for both boys and girls in a multi-group invariance analysis. The implications of these results are discussed in light of the protective effects of care relationships in early adolescence (vs. late adolescence) as well as the differential role of parent figures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Gallarin
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (B.T.-G.); (I.A.-A.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Garbisch AJ. Constructing identity by writing roots into life: a poetic-narrative autoethnography. JOURNAL OF POETRY THERAPY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/08893675.2020.1846865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
23
|
McConnachie AL, Ayed N, Foley S, Lamb ME, Jadva V, Tasker F, Golombok S. Adoptive Gay Father Families: A Longitudinal Study of Children's Adjustment at Early Adolescence. Child Dev 2020; 92:425-443. [PMID: 32880910 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Findings are presented from the second phase of a UK longitudinal study of 33 gay father, 35 lesbian mother, and 43 heterosexual parent families when their adopted children reached early adolescence. Participants predominantly lived in urban/suburban areas and were mostly white and well-educated. Standardized interviews, observations, and questionnaires of parental mental health, parent-child relationships, and adolescent adjustment were administered to parents, children, and teachers between 2016 and 2018. There were few differences between family types. However, adjustment problems had increased in all family types, with better parenting quality and parental mental health associated with fewer adjustment problems. The findings contribute to adoption policy and practice, and to theoretical understanding of the role of parental gender in child development.
Collapse
|
24
|
Rossman SM, Eddy KT, Franko DL, Rose J, DuBois R, Weissman RS, Dierker LC, Thomas JJ. Behavioral symptoms of eating disorders among adopted adolescents and young adults in the United States: Findings from the Add Health survey. Int J Eat Disord 2020; 53:1515-1525. [PMID: 32701179 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE More adopted individuals report experiencing general psychopathology, poor parental attachment, and early childhood eating difficulties than nonadopted individuals, yet little is known about disordered eating in this population. This study sought to describe the relationship between adoption status and behavioral eating-disorder (ED) symptoms, and to examine potential correlates of ED symptoms that are unique to adopted individuals. METHOD We examined data from adolescents and young adults from Waves 1 (n adopted = 561, nonadopted = 20,184), 2 (n adopted = 211, nonadopted = 14,525), and 3 (n adopted = 416, nonadopted = 14,754) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. ED symptom items included dieting, breakfast skipping, binge eating, extreme weight loss behaviors (EWLBs; i.e., self-induced vomiting, laxative use, diet pill use) and lifetime ED diagnosis. RESULTS Compared to nonadopted individuals, adopted individuals were more likely to report EWLBs at Wave 2 and binge eating and lifetime ED diagnosis at Wave 3 (ps < .05). Among adopted individuals, contact with a biological parent was associated with higher rates of binge eating and lifetime ED diagnosis at Wave 3 (ps < .05), whereas age at adoption and having ever been in foster care were not associated with rates of ED symptoms. DISCUSSION This study provides preliminary evidence that being adopted may be a risk factor for certain behavioral symptoms of EDs. Given the benefits of early detection and treatment of ED symptoms, mental health professionals working with adopted individuals should assess for disordered eating.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Setareh M Rossman
- Department of Psychology, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kamryn T Eddy
- Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Debra L Franko
- Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer Rose
- Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, USA
| | - Russell DuBois
- Department of Clinical Research, Blueprint Health, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Lisa C Dierker
- Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jennifer J Thomas
- Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Risk of eating disorders in international adoptees: a cohort study using Swedish national population registers. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2020; 29:e131. [PMID: 32452335 PMCID: PMC7264708 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796020000451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Compared to the general population, adoptees are more often referred to specialist psychiatric treatment, exhibit increased risk of suicide and display more symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder. However, little is known about the impact of being an adoptee on the risk of developing an eating disorder. The aim of the present study was to assess whether international adoptees have a higher risk for eating disorders than native Swedes. METHODS In the present retrospective cohort study, data from the Swedish total population registers on individuals born between 1979 and 2005 were used to assess whether international adoptees residing in Sweden (n = 25 287) have a higher risk for anorexia nervosa (AN) and other eating disorders (OED) than non-adoptees with Swedish-born parents from the general population (n = 2 046 835). The patterns of these results were compared to those for major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety disorders to determine whether any observed effects were unique to eating disorders or reflected a more general impact on mental health outcomes. RESULTS A survival analysis adjusting for relevant demographic covariates revealed an elevated risk of all examined psychiatric disorders in international adoptees: hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) are 1.21 (1.04-1.41) for AN, 1.60 (1.44-1.79) for OED, 1.90 (1.81-2.00) for MDD, 1.25 (1.09-1.44) for OCD, and 1.69 (1.60-1.78) for anxiety disorders. CONCLUSIONS Elevated risk of eating disorders as well as of MDD, OCD, and anxiety disorders was found in international adoptees. A parallel pattern between AN and OCD was observed, which both display less elevated rates than the other diagnoses. A considerable number of biological, environmental, and societal factors have been suggested to explain the observed differences in mental health between adoptees and non-adoptees, but they remain primarily theoretical.
Collapse
|
26
|
Askeland KG, Sivertsen B, Hysing M. Sleep patterns and insomnia among internationally adopted adolescents. Sleep Health 2020; 6:594-600. [PMID: 32360020 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2020.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sleep is essential for adolescent development. We aimed to investigate sleep patterns and insomnia among internationally adopted adolescents compared with their nonadopted peers. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Data stem from the population-based youth@hordaland-survey, conducted during winter/spring 2012, in Hordaland, Norway. PARTICIPANTS Of the 9846 adolescents who responded to the sleep measures in the youth@hordaland-survey, 44 were identified as international adoptees by linkage to the Central Adoption Registry. MEASURES The adolescents provided self-report information on demographic characteristics, mental health problems, and a range of sleep measures. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the adoptees and nonadopted peers regarding how much time they spent in bed, but the internationally adopted adolescents reported significantly shorter sleep duration, both on weekdays (d=0.37, P = .014) and weekends (d=0.37, P = .015). The difference was due to the adoptees spending longer time awake after sleep onset (d=0.78, P > .001). Furthermore, 32% of the adopted adolescents fulfilled the DMS-5 criteria for insomnia, compared with 18% of their nonadopted peers (odds ratio 2.06, 95% CI: 1.09-3.90). However, this association was no longer significant after adjusting for symptoms of depression. Adolescents adopted after 12 months of age reported more sleep problems than those who were adopted earlier. CONCLUSION The short sleep duration and high occurrence of insomnia among the internationally adopted adolescents suggest both a problem area that should receive more focus and a potential avenue for intervention. The results further suggest that assessing both mental health problems and sleep problems among internationally adopted adolescents who are experiencing difficulties could help target interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Gärtner Askeland
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Børge Sivertsen
- Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway; Department of Research & Innovation, Helse-Fonna HF, Haugesund, Norway; Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mari Hysing
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway; Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Aramburu Alegret I, Pérez-Testor C, Mercadal Rotger J, Salamero Baró M, Davins Pujols M, Mirabent Junyent V, Aznar Martínez B, Brodzinsky D. Influence of Communicative Openness on the Psychological Adjustment of Internationally Adopted Adolescents. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2020; 30 Suppl 1:226-237. [PMID: 30367705 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the predictive relationship between the communicative openness and psychological adjustment of adopted adolescents, controlling for preplacement risk factors. One hundred Spanish international adoptees aged 12-18 took part in the study. Data were gathered with a structured interview, the Youth Self Report and the Adoption Communication Scale. A history of maltreatment prior to the adoption was associated with more closed communication between parents and children. Prenatal drug exposure shows a relationship with the presence of externalizing behaviors and attention problems in adolescents. Finally, a lower degree of communicative openness regarding the child's origins was significantly associated with the presence of all the adolescent behavioral problems studied.
Collapse
|
28
|
Barroso R, Barbosa-Ducharne M. Adoption-related feelings, loss, and curiosity about origins in adopted adolescents. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2019; 24:876-891. [PMID: 31232096 DOI: 10.1177/1359104519858117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoption involves strong emotions. From the adoptee's point of view, adoption means not only the gain of a new family but also inevitable losses. This study aims at analyzing adoption-related feelings, which include the feelings of loss and the ensuing curiosity about the birth family and pre-adoption life. A total of 81 adopted adolescents, aged 12-22, adopted at 4 years of age, on average, participated in this study. The data were collected using the Questionnaire of Adoption-related Feelings and the Adopted Adolescents Interview, which allowed for the identification of the experiences, feelings, and attitudes of the adopted adolescents regarding their story before and after adoption, and their feelings towards their birth family. The results showed that most participants did not identify adoption-related losses. Nevertheless, they acknowledged the existence of some aspects of their adoption story that made them feel sad and angry and could identify several difficulties associated with their adoptive status. Participants showed low levels of curiosity even if they were mostly curious about the reasons why they had been placed up for adoption. The adoptees' feelings when thinking about their birth parents, the curiosity regarding their past, and their adoption-related losses predicted their feelings related to the adoption experience. Several implications for the psychological practice with adopted adolescents will be presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Barroso
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ferrari L, Manzi C, Benet-Martinez V, Rosnati R. Social and Family Factors Related to Intercountry Adoptees and Immigrants’ Bicultural Identity Integration. JOURNAL OF CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0022022119850339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ferrari
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Manzi
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Rosa Rosnati
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
The Importance of Nursing Support for Families with International Adoptees. J Pediatr Nurs 2019; 46:124-125. [PMID: 30948192 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
31
|
de Martino M, Galli L, Chiappini E. The internationally adopted child: overview of challenging issues. Acta Paediatr 2019; 108:396-397. [PMID: 30152882 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio de Martino
- Department of Health Sciences, Meyer's Children's University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luisa Galli
- Department of Health Sciences, Meyer's Children's University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Chiappini
- Department of Health Sciences, Meyer's Children's University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Liskola K, Raaska H, Lapinleimu H, Elovainio M. Parental depressive symptoms as a risk factor for child depressive symptoms; testing the social mediators in internationally adopted children. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2018; 27:1585-1593. [PMID: 29651645 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Parental depressive symptoms have shown to be associated with offspring depression but much of the research has been focused on maternal depression. The aim of our study was to investigate the extent to which depressive symptoms of both parents associate with offspring depressive symptoms and whether social factors mediate these associations using data from adopted children with no shared genetic background. Data were derived from the Finnish Adoption survey study (a subsample of adopted children aged between 9 and 12 years, n = 548). Parental depressive symptoms were measured using short version of the General Health Questionnaire and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) was used to measure depressive symptoms in adoptees. Paternal depressive symptoms were related to the total CDI (B = 0.33, p = 0.05) and two dimensions of offspring depressive symptoms: negative mood (B = 0.10, p = 0.03) and interpersonal problems (B = 0.06, p = 0.009). These associations remained significant even when adjusted for child's age and gender, age at adoption, type of placement before adoption, continent of birth and adoptive family's SES. No associations were found between maternal and any dimensions of offspring depressive symptoms. No information about the mental health of biological parents was available. We interpret the results as demonstrating that intergenerational transmission of depressive symptoms is not solely related to shared genes. Also, the results highlight the association of paternal depression with offspring depressive symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krista Liskola
- Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 590, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Hanna Raaska
- Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 590, 00029, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Marko Elovainio
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|