International Adoption, Behavior, and Mental Health

Miller, Laurie C.

doi:10.1001/jama.293.20.2533

Cited by 25 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…First, the NESARC data did not provide information regarding the status of international or domestic adoption [10], [42]. We assumed it would be similar to percentages of international (15%) and domestic (85%) adoptees estimated previously in the United States [43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substance Use Disorders and Adoption: Findings from a National Sample

et al. 2012

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BackgroundPrior research has shown that adoptees have a higher rate of substance use disorders (SUDs) than nonadoptees. But these findings have not been verified with a population-based sample of adult adoptees in the United States. Also, no previous adoption study has measured the prevalence of each specific substance use disorder (SUD). We aimed to compare lifetime prevalence rates and odds ratios of SUDs in adopted and nonadopted adults.Methods and FindingsThe data come from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). The main outcome measure was the prevalence of lifetime SUDs in adopted (n = 378) and nonadopted adults (n = 42503). Adoptees and nonadoptees were compared to estimate the odds of lifetime SUDs using logistic regression analysis. Adoptees had higher prevalence rates of lifetime SUDs than nonadoptees. Overall, adoptees had a 1.87-fold increase (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.87, 95% CI 1.51–2.31) in the odds of any lifetime SUD compared to nonadoptees. For each SUD, adoptees had higher odds for alcohol abuse/dependence (AOR 1.84), nicotine dependence (AOR 1.78), cannabis abuse/dependence (AOR 1.77), cocaine abuse/dependence (AOR 2.54), amphetamine abuse/dependence (AOR 3.14), hallucinogen abuse/dependence (AOR 2.85), opioid abuse/dependence (AOR 2.21), and other drug abuse/dependence (AOR 2.87) compared to nonadoptees. This study also identified two adoption-specific risk factors (Hispanic, never married) associated with any lifetime SUD.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated an increased risk of lifetime SUDs in adopted adults. The findings can be useful for clinicians and policy makers to provide education, prevention, and support for adoptees and their families.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substance Use Disorders and Adoption: Findings from a National Sample

et al. 2012

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“…Yet, according to Brodzinsky [25], adoptive parents are prone to see their child as being at risk for developing problems. It has also been suggested that the sociodemographic characteristics of adoptive parents could in part explain the high rate of behavior problems reported in IA children [26]. Adoptive parents are usually more educated and more affluent than non-adoptive parents and they have better access to mental health services.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pre-Adoption Adversity and Self-Reported Behavior Problems in 7 Year-Old International Adoptees

Gagnon-Oosterwaal

Cossette

Smolla

et al. 2012

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev

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To further investigate the long-term impact of pre-adoption adversity on international adoptees, externalizing and internalizing symptoms were assessed using a self-report measure at school-age in addition to mothers' reports. The sample consisted of 95 adopted children and their mothers. Children's health and developmental status were assessed soon after arrival in their adoptive family. At age 7, the Dominic Interactive, a self-report measure, was used to evaluate externalizing and internalizing symptoms while mothers completed the CBCL. Children's self-reports were compared to their non-adopted peers'. Adopted children reported more symptoms of specific phobia than their peers. A significant correlation was found between mothers' and children's reports but only for externalizing symptoms. Self-reported symptoms were related to indices of nutritional and psychosocial deprivation at arrival, such as low height/age and weight/height ratios. Our results emphasize the importance of considering international adoptees' perception of their psychological adjustment and the long-term impact of early risk factors.

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“…11 Studies of at-risk children or those that reported to clinics may have led to underreporting of positive outcomes. 12 In addition to clinical studies, some researchers have used administrative or adoption agency records to identify adoptive families who were associated with a certain adoption program, agency, or region. 13,14 Much of the research has reflected concerns about the challenges faced by transracial families 15 or focused on social and psychological adjustment and behavioral problems more generally, rather than physical health.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Disability Among Internationally Adopted Children in the United States

Kreider

Cohen

2009

Pediatrics

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The population of internationally adopted children is relatively small and diverse, posing challenges for researchers who hope to reach generalizable conclusions. Nevertheless, health, education, and social service professionals, as well as adoptive and prospective adoptive parents, should be aware of the risk for disabilities among internationally adopted children to devote the resources necessary to addressing them.

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International Adoption, Behavior, and Mental Health

Cited by 25 publications

References 17 publications

Substance Use Disorders and Adoption: Findings from a National Sample

Substance Use Disorders and Adoption: Findings from a National Sample

Pre-Adoption Adversity and Self-Reported Behavior Problems in 7 Year-Old International Adoptees

Disability Among Internationally Adopted Children in the United States

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