Behavior Problems and Mental Health Contacts in Adopted, Foster, and Nonadopted Children

Abstract

The implications of adoption for the emotional and behavioral adjustment of children have been an issue in child welfare for many years. Past research has suggested that adopted children are over-represented in mental health settings. In addition, some studies have suggested that adopted and nonadopted children differ on measures of social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning. The current study used data from a large, representative sample in the United States to examine whether adopted children are more likely to have had mental health contacts or emotional or behavioral problems than nonadopted children. Age of placement in the adoptive home was examined as a variable contributing to the adjustment of adopted children. Results suggest that adopted and foster children are more likely to have mental health contacts than nonadopted children. Results are mixed regarding whether adopted and foster children have more behavior problems than nonadopted children. However, significant differences between adopted, foster, and nonadopted children disappeared when a small group of influential cases were removed. This suggests that the differences seen between the groups reflect a small number of cases and are not representative of the groups of adoptees and foster children as a whole. The vast majority of adopted children showed patterns of behavior problems similar to those of nonadopted children. These results are discussed in relation to the past literature and areas for future research.

Importance of Stability of Early Living Arrangements on Behavior Outcomes of Children With and Without Prenatal Drug Exposure

“…[1][2][3][4] Often the reason for out-of-home care is child maltreatment. In utero exposure to illegal drugs by itself or in conjunction with other risk factors is considered child maltreatment in many states.…”

Early deprivation as a risk factor for narcissistic identity pathologies in adolescence with regard to international adoption

“…Despite contrasting empirical research results regarding the long-term effects of international adoption on mental health [7][8][9][10][11], large cohort studies evidence that adolescents and young adults who have been adopted in infancy are overall more at risk of severe mental problems, including suicide or attempted suicide, than their non-adopted peers [12,13]. Such higher risk for suicide is consistent with the identity disorders often observed in infant psychiatry in the case of adolescents internationally adopted in infancy [14].…”

Perspectives of Foster-Care Providers, Service Providers, and Judges Regarding Privatized Foster-Care Services

“…The population this study considers is older youth with emotional or behavioral disabilities, a group whose extensive, expensive mental-health needs can be particularly challenging in the foster-care system (Blumberg, Landsverk, EllisMacLeod, Ganger, & Culver, 1996;Brand & Brinich, 1999;Clausen, Landsverk, Ganger, Chadwick, & Litrownik, 1998;Schor, 1988; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1997). This group also may present more of a challenge than do other youth in finding adoptive placements (McMurtry & Gwat-Yong, 1992;Olsen, 1982;Schmidt-Tieszen & McDonald, 1998;Seaberg & Tolley, 1986).…”