We tested whether adoptive parenting played a role in the association between pre-adoption experiences and children's adaptive (responsiveness) and maladaptive (internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems, attention and sleep problems) behavioral adjustment over time. Ten-year-old girls, adopted at 13 months from institutional care (n =…

Background: The link between disorders of attachment and psychopathology is well documented. Consequently, a person's attachment style has a profound effect on his or her development and psychological well-being. At-risk populations such as adopted children are more prone to developing pervasive patterns of attachment, given the maternal…

Objectives: We evaluated a new attachment-oriented intervention aimed at improving parental mind-mindedness, promoting positive parent-child relationships, and reducing child psychopathology in families with adopted children. Method: The sample consisted of 20 families with adopted children (2-5 years of age). After the pretest, the intervention…

Romanian adoptees have a background of severe neglect. International research has shown that this can give rise to symptoms of autistic behavior. Rutter "et al." (1999, "Journal of Child Psychology Psychiatry," 40 (4), 537-549.) refers to "quasi-autistic patterns", and Federici (1998, "Help for the hopeless…

Discusses how, since 1990 in the Netherlands, prospective adopters of children from overseas have been required to attend preparation classes. Explains how the practice originated and outlines the subjects, experiences, and effects of the preparation courses. (TJQ)

This study examined the occurrence of symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 80 children adopted from Romania to Dutch parents. Findings indicated that 11 boys and 1 girl clearly showed ADHD symptoms, based on parents' ratings, and exhibited more externalizing behavior than the other children. These children more often…

Compared prevalence and developmental course of problem behaviors in 1,538 internationally adopted and nonadopted Dutch children across adolescence. Found high levels of problem behaviors in adopted versus nonadopted adolescents. Problem behavior increased with age for adopted, but not nonadopted. Concluded that despite much higher levels of…

Behavioral problems are the most common mental health problem in children and adolescents worldwide. For several decades there has been a growing body of scientific knowledge of the factors influencing the development of antisocial behavior. There are several intervention and prevention programs, the most effective of which activate parents,…