Greenlandic adoptees' psychiatric inpatient contact. A comparative register-based study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Greenlandic adoption and child care traditions are unique.
• International research suggests adoptees have adverse health outcomes.
• Adoptee and stepchild mental health requires specific investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare psychiatric contact and diagnoses in adoptees and stepchildren versus non-adoptees in Greenland.
• To analyze demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing psychiatric admissions.
• To investigate potential differences in mental health risks between adoptees and stepchildren.

Main Methods:

• Comparative, register-based study of inpatient psychiatric patients in Greenland (born 1973-2005).
• Analysis of psychiatric admissions (1992-2008) and socioeconomic data (from 1996).
• Statistical correlation of psychiatric diagnoses with adoption and stepchild status.

Main Results:

• Adoptees in Greenland showed no significant increase in psychiatric admission risk (adjusted risk 1.1).
• Female stepchildren had a significant increase in psychiatric admission risk (adjusted risk 3.4).
• The most common diagnosis was 'Inherent or acquired brain suffering'.

Conclusions:

• Contrary to Western findings, adoption in Greenland does not elevate psychiatric risk.
• Stepchild status, particularly for females, is a significant risk factor for psychiatric contact in Greenland.
• Further in-depth field studies are needed, collaborating with the local population, due to limited data collection.