The effects of adoption openness and type on the mental health, delinquency, and family relationships of adopted youth

Review of benefits and risks for children in open adoption arrangements

“…In a longitudinal study of 167 adult adoptees, Farr, Grant‐Marsney and Grotevant (2014) similarly found that when adopted adults perceived a secure attachment to their adoptive parents and also maintained open sensitive conversations about their adoption, they tended to obtain greater satisfaction from contact with birth relatives. Finally, a cross‐sectional survey of 1,544 adoptive parents by Agnich et al (2016) found that openness in adoption was related to less distrust towards the adoptive family.…”

“…Thus, although little information was available about the duration of adoptions at the time of a given study, it is reasonable to assume that this is equivalent to the age range of the adoptees included. Finally, in relation to the type of maltreatment suffered by adoptees, only five studies provided this information (Agnich et al, 2016; Crea & Barth, 2009; Del Pozo et al, 2018; Luu et al, 2018; Sykes, 2001). However, in the studies by Grotevant and colleagues and in that by March (1997), adoption plans had been made during pregnancy, and hence, the adoptees had not suffered any form of neglect or abuse.…”

“…The outcome variables considered were mainly satisfaction with and experiences of the post‐adoption contact, or the level of openness in adoption. However, seven studies specifically examined behavioural and emotional problems in the adoptee (Agnich, Schueths, James, & Klibert, 2016; Farr et al, 2016; Grotevant et al, 2013; Grotevant, Rueter, Von Korff, & Gonzalez, 2011; Neil, 2009; Reppold & Hutz, 2009; Von Korff et al, 2006), and three reports explored identity formation (Del Pozo, Dunstan, & Kaltner, 2018; Luu, de Rosnay, Wright, & Tregeagle, 2018; Von Korff & Grotevant, 2011). Data about adoptive children were most commonly gathered from birth parents and adoptive parents, although in some studies, children and adolescents were also interviewed and assessed (Berge, Mendenhall, Wrobel, Grotevant, & McRoy, 2006; Farr et al, 2016; Farr, Grant‐Marsney, & Grotevant, 2014; Farr, Grant‐Marsney, Musante, Grotevant, & Wrobel, 2014; Greenhow et al, 2015; Grotevant & McRoy, 1997; Grotevant et al, 2013; Grotevant, Rueter, et al, 2011; Kohler, Grotevant, & McRoy, 2002; Luu et al, 2018; March, 1997; Reppold & Hutz, 2009; Von Korff & Grotevant, 2011; Wrobel & Grotevant, 2018).…”

“…The same study by Kohler et al (2002) also explored the emotional repercussions that contact arrangements can have for children and found that very high levels of preoccupation with adoption correlated with a high level of alienation and lower levels of trust in the adoptive family. The cross‐sectional study by Agnich et al (2016) also examined emotional problems and externalizing behaviours and found, through a survey of 1,544 adoptive parents, that they perceived anxiety and a greater number of externalizing behaviours in their children when there was a contact arrangement with birth relatives.…”

Mental health and behavioural difficulties in adopted children: A systematic review of post-adoption risk and protective factors

“…Structural openness of adoption. Three studies assessed the impact of the structural openness of adoption, referring to post-adoption contact with birth families (Agnich, et al, 2016;Neil, 2009;Grotevant). Overall, contact was not related to emotional or behavioural difficulties, but a US study (Agnich) found higher rates of children in open adoptions receiving a diagnosis of 'attachment disorder' although this was based on a limited methodology.…”