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Behavior problems in postinstitutionalized internationally adopted children

Megan R Gunnar1, Manfred H M van Dulmen,

  • 1Institute of Child Development, 51 East River Road, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. gunnar@umn.edu

Development and Psychopathology
|January 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Children with prolonged institutional care before adoption showed more attention and social issues. Later adoption and time in the adoptive home were linked to increased behavioral problems, with Russian/Eastern European adoptees at higher risk.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Adoption Studies

Background:

  • Internationally adopted children may face unique developmental challenges.
  • Prior institutionalization is a significant factor influencing child development.
  • Understanding post-adoption behavioral outcomes is crucial for support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between institutional rearing and behavioral problems in internationally adopted children.
  • To examine the impact of age at adoption and time in adoptive care on behavior.
  • To identify risk factors for behavioral issues in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for behavior assessment.
  • Analyzed data from 1,948 internationally adopted children (ages 4-18).
  • Employed binomial logistic regression to identify significant associations.

Main Results:

  • Early institutional rearing correlated with higher rates of attention and social problems.
  • Adoption at 24 months or older was linked to increased internalizing and externalizing problems.
  • Time in adoptive home positively associated with problem behaviors; no evidence of waning post-adoption.
  • Children adopted from Russia/Eastern Europe showed higher risk for several problem domains.

Conclusions:

  • Institutional care and delayed adoption are significant risk factors for behavioral issues.
  • Behavioral problems may not diminish over time post-adoption.
  • Origin country is associated with differential risk for behavioral problems.

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