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Developmental course of problem behaviors in adolescent adoptees
F C Verhulst1, H J Versluis-den Bieman
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sophia Children's Hospital/Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Intercountry adoptees showed increased problem behaviors and decreased competencies during adolescence. Early adverse experiences did not explain these negative developmental changes in adopted youth.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Adoption studies
- Adolescent mental health
Background:
- Intercountry adoptees may face unique developmental challenges.
- Understanding the long-term adjustment of adoptees is crucial for targeted support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the 3-year developmental trajectory of problem behaviors and competencies in adolescents who were intercountry adoptees.
- To investigate the influence of ethnicity and early adverse environmental factors on these developmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study followed 1,538 intercountry adoptees aged 11–14 years at baseline.
- The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was administered at initial assessment and a 3-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- Adoptees exhibited an increase in problem behaviors and a decrease in competencies over the 3-year period.
- The most significant increases were observed in 'Withdrawn' and 'Delinquent Behavior' scales.
- These changes were not linked to placement age, medical status, early adversity, or racial antagonism.
Conclusions:
- Intercountry adoptees demonstrated increased maladaptive functioning in adolescence compared to peers from the general population.
- The study suggests that factors beyond early adversity, potentially related to adolescent development interacting with adoption-specific issues, contribute to these negative outcomes.