No abstract

The number of adopted children referred to a Canadian psychiatric service was found to be greater than warranted by their ratio in the community. They presented more with conduct disorders and less with anxiety disorders and were significantly more impaired than the controls. t has long been accepted that adoption is 37-46. dren. Archives of General Psychiatry, 3, 21-32. Journal if Psychid&. 127, 948-950, For reprints: S. Kotsopoulos. M.D., Royal Ottawa Hospital.

This is a five year follow-up study of adopted children and adolescents. Thirty-five adoptees and 23 control subjects were assessed. Five years earlier, the initial sample consisted of 57 pairs of adoptees and controls. The study showed that both adopted and control subjects were improved at the follow-up assessment and that there were no significant differences in clinical diagnoses and social adaptation between the groups. Compared with the controls, the adoptees were scored higher on a behaviour scale (Revised Behavior Problem Checklist) by parents. Adoption by the sixth month of age was associated with better overall psychosocial functioning. Significantly more adoptees were not living with their adoptive families. Factors associated with outcome are discussed.