Associations between discussions of racial and ethnic differences in internationally adoptive families and delinquent behavior among Korean adopted adolescents

Abstract

Internationally adopted adolescents may have more delinquent behavior than non-adopted adolescents. One explanation is these adolescents experience discrimination and loss of culture, and adoptive parents are not adequately addressing these experiences. However, studies have not examined the effects of family discussions of racial and ethnic differences within adoptive families on adopted adolescents’ delinquent behavior. To test this relationship, this study utilized data from 111 U.S. internationally adoptive families with 185 South Korean adopted adolescents (55% female, M age = 17.75). During an observational assessment, families discussed the importance of their racial and ethnic differences, and adolescents completed a delinquent behavior questionnaire. Analysis of covariance showed differences in adolescent delinquent behavior across three ways adoptive families discussed racial and ethnic differences; adolescents whose families acknowledged differences had the fewest mean delinquent behaviors. There were no significant differences in delinquent behavior between adolescents whose families acknowledged or rejected the importance of racial and ethnic differences. However, adopted adolescents whose families held discrepant views of differences had significantly more problem behavior than adolescents whose families either acknowledged or rejected the importance of racial and ethnic differences. Clinicians, adoption professionals, and other parenting specialists should focus on building cohesive family identities about racial and ethnic differences, as discrepant views of differences are associated with the most adoptee delinquent behavior.

Lesbian, Gay, and Heterosexual Adoptive Parents’ Socialization Approaches to Children’s Minority Statuses

“…Consistent with some prior work, our findings suggest that there is variability in racial socialization approaches among White adoptive parents (e.g., Anderson et al, 2015). About half of parents of children of color took an engaged approach to racial socialization.…”

“…Our data point to many practical ways that adoptive parents can and do seek to support their children's positive identity development, and highlight a variety of developmentally appropriate tools (e.g., books) that they utilize to stimulate conversations about race and family structure (Anderson et al, 2015;Smith et al, 2011). As our study found that about one third of parents are cautious about socialization, wanting to socialize their children but feeling unsure about how to do so and voicing concern that too much discussion may cause harm, it seems that many parents are in need of some guidance.…”

“…Research on racial socialization by White adoptive parents has revealed variability in racial socialization behaviors (e.g., Anderson et al, 2015;Barn, 2013), with some parents, especially in early studies, engaging in limited racial socialization, such that they lived in mostly White communities and downplayed their children's race (Bergquist, Campbell, & Unrau, 2003;ElseQuest & Morse, 2015;McRoy & Zurcher, 1983). Such behaviors, which have been found to limit or undermine racial identity development (McRoy & Zurcher, 1983;Neblett et al, 2009), are consistent with an assimilationist perspective, whereby parents prioritize their child's assimilation into the majority White culture (Lee, 2003).…”

“…Differences should be acknowledged and discussed, as discrepant parent views on difference have been linked to adverse child outcomes (e.g., delinquency) in adolescence (Anderson et al, 2015).…”

Ethnic Identity and Psychological Well-Being of International Transracial Adoptees: A Curvilinear Relationship

“…Using Brodzinsky's () model of adoptive family coping, several studies have provided support for the beneficial effect of acknowledging adoption‐related differences and communicating openly about adoption (e.g., Brodzinsky, ; Le Mare & Audet, ). A recent study (Anderson, Lee, Rueter, & Kim, ) indicated that family acknowledgment of ethnic and racial differences was related to less delinquent behavior by Korean adoptees.…”