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Adopted children's behavior problems: a review of five explanatory models
B R Peters1, M S Atkins, M M McKay
1University of Houston, USA.
Clinical Psychology Review
|March 31, 1999
Summary
Adopted children show more behavior problems than nonadopted children. Research exploring genetic, adoption process, and parenting factors offers mixed results, suggesting a psychosocial model may be more fitting.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Adoption Studies
Background:
- Adopted children exhibit higher rates of behavior problems compared to nonadopted peers.
- Existing research offers multiple explanations for these disparities, including genetic and environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and organize existing literature on factors contributing to behavior problems in adopted children.
- To evaluate the evidence supporting various explanatory models.
- To propose future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on adopted children's behavior.
- Categorization of studies into five explanatory models: biosocial, adoption process, preadoption childrearing, referral bias, and parent-adoptee relations.
- Analysis of evidence supporting each model.
Main Results:
- Evidence for all five reviewed models (biosocial, adoption process, preadoption childrearing, referral bias, parent-adoptee relations) is mixed.
- Genetic/biosocial studies show inconsistent results.
- Limited research exists on factors disrupting adoptive parent-adoptee relationships.
Conclusions:
- A psychosocial model is proposed as a plausible explanation for elevated behavior problems in adopted children.
- Further research is needed, particularly focusing on the parent-adoptee relationship.
- A greater appreciation for the normative aspects of adoption is encouraged.