Adjustment of adopted children and demographic profile of adoptive parents

Using 51 manifestations of childhood dysfunction as index of adjustment, the relationship was investigated of 9 demographic characteristics of applicants for adoption to the adjustment of children, when aged 7 to 7 1/2 years, whom they had adopted. 'Good adjustment' was associated with the father having at least completed high school, having a non-manual occupation and an above median income. There was a trend for it to be also associated with the mother having at least completed high school, being under 30 years of age, and with the couple's non-committal on (i.e., not outright rejection of) the possibility of adopting a hard to place child. The findings were discussed critically and it was concluded that the study demonstrated the feasibility of establishing objective empirical criteria for the selection of adoption applicants.