Abstract
Retrospective studies of adoptive families have identified ways in which members of the adoptive family may be at risk of behavior and adjustment problems, but it is prospective research which can link those difficulties to factors which exist early in the placement. This review of prospective adoption research finds that most studies, but not all, report that adopted children are indeed at increased risk of behavior problems and decreased selfesteem. These studies, taken in sum, caution that unrealistic parental expectations and other parental misconceptions about the child, particularly regarding academic achievement, often lead to these difficulties in adjustment. Implications for practive are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Achenbach, T.M., & Edelbrock, C.S. (1983).Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist and revised child behavior profile. Burlington, Vermont: Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont.
Bachrach, C.A., Adams, P.F., Sambrano, S., & London, K.A. (1990). Adoption in the 1980s.Advance data from vital and health statistics, no. 181 (pp. 1–12). Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics.
Barth, R.P. (1991). Adoption of drug-exposed children.Children and Youth Services Review, 13, 350–360.
Barth, R.P., & Berry, M. (1988).Adoption and disruption: Rates, risks, and responses. Hawthorne, New York: Aldine de Gruyter.
Berry, M. (1991). Preparing and supporting special needs adoptive families: A review of the literature.Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal.
Berry, M. (1991). The practive of open adoption: Findings from a study of 1396 adoptive families.Children and Youth Services Review, 13, 379–395.
Berry, M., & Barth, R.P. (1989). Behavior problems of children adopted when older.Children and Youth Services Review, 11, 221–238.
Block, N.M., & Libowitz, A.S. (1983).Recidivism in foster care. New York: Child Welfare League of America.
Bohman, M., & Sigvardsson, S. (1985). A prospective longitudinal study of adoption. In A.R. Nicol (Ed.),Longitudinal Studies in Child Psychology and Psychiatry. New York: Wiley.
Borgotta, E.F., & Fanshel, D. (1965).Behavioral characteristics of children known to psychiatric outpatient clinics. New York: Child Welfare League of America.
Brenner, R. (1951).A follow-up study of adoptive families, New York: Child Adoption Research Committee.
Brinich, P.M., & Brinich, E.B. (1982). Adoption and adaptation.Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 170, 489–493.
Brodzinsky, D.M. (1987). Adjustment to adoption: A psychosocial perspective.Clinical Psychology Review, 7, 25–47.
Brodzinsky, D.M., Schechter, D.E., Braff, A.M., & Singer, L.M. (1984). Psychological and academic adjustment in adopted children.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 582–590.
Capaldi, D., & Patterson, G.R. (1987). An approach to the problem of recruitment and retention rates for longitudinal research.Behavioral Assessment, 9, 169–177.
Demick, J., & Wapner, S. (1988). Open and closed adoption: A developmental conceptualization.Family Process, 27, 229–249.
Elonen, A.S., & Schwartz, E.M. (1969). A longitudinal study of emotional, social, and academic functioning of adopted children.Child Welfare, 48, 72–78.
Feigelman, W., & Silverman, A.R. (1984). The long-term effects of transracial adoption.Social Service Review, 58, 588–602.
Fein, E., Davies, L.J., & Knight, G. (1979). Placement stability in foster care.Social Work, 24, 156–157.
Gill, O., & Jackson, B. (1983).Adoption and race, New York: St. Martin's Press.
Glidden, L.M., & Pursley, J.T. (1989). Longitudinal comparisons of families who have adopted children with mental retardation.American Journal on Mental Retardation, 94, 272–277.
Grotevant, H.D., McRoy, R.G., & Jenkins, V.Y. (1988). Emotionally disturbed, adopted adolescents: Early patterns of family adaptation.Family Process, 27, 439–457.
Groze, V. (19860. Special-needs adoption.Children and Youth Services Review, 8, 363–373.
Hoopes, J.L., Sherman, E.A., Lawder, E.A., Andrews, R.G., & Lower, K.D. (1970).A follow-up study of adoptions (Vol. II): Post-placement functioning of adopted children. New York: Child Welfare League of America.
Jaffe, B., & Fanshel, D. (1970).How they fared in adoption: A follow-up study. New York: Columbia University Press.
Jenkins, V.Y., Grotevant, H.D., McRoy, R.G., & Potter, L. (1989). The development of emotional disturbance in adopted adolescents. Paper presented to the Society for Research in Child Development, Kansas City, Missouri, April, 1989.
Kadushin, A. (1980).Child welfare services. New York: Macmillan.
Kadushin, A., & Seidl, F.W. (1971). Adoption failure: A social work postmortem.Social Work, 16, 32–38.
Korntzer, M. (1968).Adoption and family life. London: Putnam.
Kotsopoulos, S., Cote, A., Joseph, L., Pentland, N., Stavrakaki, C., Sheahan, P., & Oke, L. (1988). Psychiatric disorders in adopted children: A controlled study.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 58(4), 608–612.
Lahti, J. (1982). A follow-up study of foster children in permanent placements.Social Service Review, 56, 556–571.
Lawder, E.A., Lower, K.D., Andrews, R.G., Sherman, E.A., & Hill, J.G. (1969).A follow-up study of adoptions: Post-placement functioning of adoption families. New York: Child Welfare League of America.
McWhinnie, A.M. (1967).Adopted children: How they grow up. London: Routledge & Kagan Paul.
National Association of Black Social Workers. (1972).Position statement on transracial adoption. New York: Author.
Partridge, S., Hornby, H., & McDonald, T. (1986).Legacies of loss, visions of gain: An inside look at adoption disruption. Portland, Maine: University of Southern Maine.
Plomin, R., & DeFries, J.C. (1983). The Colorado Adoption Project.Child Development, 54, 276–289.
Plomin, R., & DeFries, J.C. (1985).The origins of individual differences in infancy: The Colorado Adoption Project. New York: Academic Press.
Rathbun, C., DiVirgilio, L., & Waldfogel, S. (1965). Later adjustment of children following radical separation from family and culture.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 35, 327–335.
Raynor, L. (1980).The adopted child comes of age. London: George Allen and Unwin.
Ripple. L. (1968). A follow-up study of adopted children.Social Service Review, 42, 479–499.
Rosenberg, M., & Simmons, R.G. (1971).Black and white self-esteem: The urban school child. Washington, D.C.: American Sociological Association.
Shireman, J.F., & Johnson, P.R. (1985). Single-parent adoptions: A longitudinal study.Children and Youth Services Review, 7, 321–334.
Simon, R.J., & Altstein, H. (1987).Transracial adoptees and their families: A study of identity and commitment. New York: Praeger.
Stein, L.M., & Hoopes, J.L. (1985).Identity formation in the adopted adolescent, New York: Child Welfare League of America.
Theis, S.V.S. (1924).How foster children turn out. New York: State Charities Aid Association.
Triseliotis, J. (1973).In search of origins, London: Routledge & Kagan Paul.
Urban Systems Research and Engineering, Inc. (1985).Evaluation of state activities with regard to adoption disruption. Washington, D.C.: Urban Systems Research and Engineering, Inc.
Verhulst, F.C., Althaus, M., & Versluis-Den Bieman, H.J.M. (1900). Problem behavior in international adoptees: An epidemiological study.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 29(1), 94–103.
Witmer, H.L., Herzog, E., Weinstein, E.A., & Sullivan, M.E. (1963).Independent adoptions. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
Wittenborn, J.R. (1957).The placement of adoptive children. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas.
Yarrow, L.J., Goodwin, M.S., Manheimer, H., & Milowe, I.D. (1973). Infancy experiences and cognitive and personality development at 10 years. In L.J. Stone, H.T. Smith, & L.T. Murphy (Eds.).The competent infant: Research and commentary. New York: Basic Books.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Berry, M. Contributors to adjustment problems of adoptees: A review of the longitudinal research. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 9, 525–540 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00845412
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00845412