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The deprived child in adoption
Insights
Adoption breakdowns in older children are often linked to early deprivation, not parental factors. Early intervention and counseling are crucial for at-risk adopted children facing behavioral challenges.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Adoption Studies
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Increasing adoptions of older children in Manitoba present challenges.
- Adoption breakdowns are frequently associated with adverse outcomes for these children.
- Early deprivation is a significant factor impacting adopted children's development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors contributing to adoption breakdowns in older children.
- To compare children from adoption breakdowns with control groups.
- To identify key predictors of successful or unsuccessful adoption placements.
Main Methods:
- Studied 33 children from adoption breakdowns and 12 control adoptions.
- Assessed placement timing, prior moves, developmental and intelligence quotients.
- Evaluated children's behavior patterns and parental motivations.
Main Results:
- No significant differences found in parental motivation or placement process between groups.
- Difficult child behavior was common in both groups, linked to early deprivation.
- Early life experiences of deprivation significantly impact behavior.
Conclusions:
- Adoption breakdowns with older children are often rooted in early deprivation, not placement issues.
- Parental education on risks of environmental deprivation is essential.
- Pre- and post-adoption counseling and specific policies are vital for high-risk children.
Abstract:
There has been an increasing number of older children adopted in Manitoba, Canada, often with adverse results because of early deprivation of the children concerned. 33 children from adoption "breakdowns" and 12 control adoptions were studied. Assessment was made of the time of placement, number of previous moves, development and intelligence quotients, and the behaviour pattern of the children. There were no differences between the control and adoptive breakdown groups with regard to the motivation of the adopting parents, the degree to which the adopted child was considered at risk, or the manner in which placement was carried out. Common to both groups was the difficult behaviour of the children which appeared to stem from early experiences of deprivation. Adopting parents should be told about the possible problems arising from environmental deprivation and appropriate counselling should be given before adoption and after placement. Specific policies in the placement of such high-risk children are given.