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…

This systematic literature review is an exploration of issues for adoptive families throughout the adoption process and into the various phases of the life of the adoptive family. Although there has been much recent research related to adoption, in general, very little adoption literature addresses the often unspoken needs of families who want to…

With access to a unique sample of post-institutionalized Hungarian children, this study focused on the hypothesis that children who had been institutionalized for at least six months after birth have less developed capacities for emotion regulation; 90 children, aged 4-6, were placed in 1 of 3 groups: (1) children who had been institutionalized…

No comprehensive studies have examined the utility of family drawings within the context of international adoption. We examined the relationship of Kinetic Family Drawings by 54 internationally adopted children in the USA (65% female; M age = 8.57 years, SD = 2.1) to demographics, child competencies (Child Behavior Checklist: CBCL/6-18) and…

Many of the >339,000 international adoptees arriving in the USA during the last 25 years are now teenagers and young adults (YA). Information about their long-term social integration, school performance, and self-esteem is incomplete. Moreover, the relation of these outcomes to facets of family function is incompletely understood. We…

The goal of this study is to investigate early childhood teachers' perspective of teaching foster and adopted children. The main purpose is to seek suggestions how teachers can nurture the development of foster and adopted children. A 6 question survey was sent to 44 teachers pursuing graduate studies in early childhood education. Of this 50%…

A challenge of today's teacher preparation programmes is to educate teachers about families formed through international adoption and of the challenges they face, in order to meet their educational needs. This population has a unique developmental history affected by pre- and post-adoption conditions which stand to impact on learning experiences…

In this research project we investigated the process of adoption of foster children by foster parents and the foster parents' ideas of how to help foster children going through the process of adoption or those who have been adopted. We sent questionnaires to 200 foster parents living in the Cleveland area, but just 23 foster parents replied.…

Analyzes effects of differentiated stimulation over the indexes of growth and development on severely malnourished children during their hospitalization and after being adopted. The sample consisted of 26 children who presented second and third degrees of malnutrition and who were younger than two years of age when adopted. (RH)

Six popular misconceptions about adoption are presented along with research evidence refuting each of them. (Author/RH)

Discusses the adoption laws and procedures of Lagos State, Nigeria, and presents a demographic profile of the 236 adoptions that have taken place since the enactment of the current law in 1972. Because of the dearth of information on adoption in Nigeria, it is suggested that research on adoption should be pursued with the utmost vigor. (MDM)

Describes problems of children in adoptive care and the use of bibliotherapy by parents who adopt children. Includes a list of 20 books which relate to adoption and provides suggestions for follow-up activities. (RJC)

Compares the feelings of identity and security in 44 young adults who had been adopted and 44 who had been foster children. Adoptees appeared more confident and secure; most of those who had been foster children seemed insecure about their legal position and the change in their lives. (CI)

Examined effects on 74 adopters of participation in a court contest of adoption orders. Also explored effects of the nature of the hearings on availability of information and well-being of adopters. Found that the adversarial process did not lead to minimal levels of postadoption contact between biological and adoptive parents but was still…

Studied behavioral problems that 19 Scottish adoptive families experienced with their adopted children. Also studied families' experiences with, views on, and suggestions for postadoption services. Discusses implications for adoption practices. (BG)