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Risk and developmental heterogeneity in previously institutionalized children

Nim Tottenham1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA. nimtottenham@ucla.edu

The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
|July 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children adopted from institutional care face developmental risks, impacting behavior and neurobiology. However, outcomes vary, with resilience allowing some children to thrive despite adverse conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neurobiology
  • Child Welfare

Background:

  • Institutional care poses significant risks to typical child development.
  • Early life adversity in institutional settings can affect multiple developmental domains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of developmental outcomes for children adopted from institutional care.
  • To identify vulnerable areas of development and factors influencing outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on institutionalized children's development.
  • Analysis of behavioral and neurobiological outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Institutional care is a risk factor for developmental delays and behavioral issues.
  • Specific areas of development, including neurobiological and behavioral aspects, are particularly vulnerable.
  • Significant heterogeneity in outcomes exists, with notable resilience observed in some children.

Conclusions:

  • The impact of institutional care on development is influential, not deterministic.
  • Understanding individual differences and resilience is crucial for supporting adopted children.
  • Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms of resilience in post-institutionalized children.

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