Patterns of psychiatric disorder in adopted girls: a research note

Over a 15-year period adopted children were overrepresented in a psychiatric clinic population. The excess was seen in all age groups and there was no rise of referrals of adoptees during adolescence. Adopted boys showed the same range of disorder as all referred boys. Adopted girls were more likely than other girls to have conduct disorders. Those with conduct disorders were more likely than non-adopted girls with the same disorder to be taken into care and to be given inpatient treatment. Differences in family structure and relationships were found both between conduct disordered girls of different adoptive status and between adopted girls with conduct and other disorders.