Course and prediction of emotional and behaviour problems in adopted children in Germany in the first years after placement

Hornfeck, Fabienne (2025): Course and prediction of emotional and behaviour problems in adopted children in Germany in the first years after placement. Dissertation, LMU München: Fakultät für Psychologie und Pädagogik

Abstract

Background and study aim. Adoption is often described as an effective intervention for children who cannot remain within their birth families. A wide range of studies have demonstrated that most adopted children are well-adjusted but preadoptive adversity and parental factors can increase the likelihood of emotional and behavioural problems. The present doctoral thesis aimed to investigate the course of adopted children’s emotional and behaviour problems and to examine the impact of both preadoptive and postadoptive factors. The analyses further focused on the use of postadoption support and the unmet needs of adoptive families. Methods. Data were derived from a nationwide longitudinal survey of adoptive families in Germany involving N = 257 adopted children (198 domestic adoptions, 59 intercountry adoptions). Wave 1 was conducted between 2016 and 2017; Wave 2 was conducted between 2020 and 2021. The SDQ was used as the major outcome measure assessing emotional and behaviour problems in adopted children. The assessment of preadoptive experiences included a sum score for pre- and perinatal risks, the experience of maltreatment and neglect, and the number of placement changes before adoption. Postadoption variables assessed adoptive parents’ parenting behaviour, parenting stress, psychological distress, and parental self-efficacy. The use of and satisfaction with postadoption support services in and outside of adoption agencies was assessed exploratory. Results. The results of four research articles showed that most adopted children are well-adjusted, and significant differences between nationally and internationally adopted children were found, particularly for behaviour problems at Wave 1. Increases in overall emotional and behaviour problems were found from Wave 1 to Wave 2, and clinical range problems in adopted children persisted from Wave 1 to Wave 2. A strong impact of preadoptive adversity on adopted children’s emotional and behaviour outcomes at Wave 1 was found, but concerning Wave 2, adoptive parents’ psychological distress and self-efficacy became more important in influencing the child’s outcomes. The majority of adoptive families used postadoption support from adoption agencies and external services, but parental and child-related difficulties did not predict support use consistently. Discussion. The predominantly positive outcomes for adopted children and adoptive parents within the present work confirm the suitability of adoption as an effective intervention. However, the level of emotional and behaviour problems increased as children got older and early clinical range problems increased the risk for ongoing difficulties. With regard to potential predictors, adopted children’s prior experiences are particularly crucial for their level of emotional and behaviour problems at an early stage after adoption, but the impact of parental factors increased over time. Furthermore, adoptive families are willing to use postadoption support services offered by adoption agencies and external services, but the services used did not necessarily correspond to the individual needs of the families. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.

• Dokumententyp: Dissertationen (Dissertation, LMU München)
• Keywords: adoption, emotional and behaviour problems, adopted children, parenting, parental stress, early adversity
• Themengebiete: 300 Sozialwissenschaften ; 300 Sozialwissenschaften > 360 Gesellschaftliche Probleme, Sozialdienste
• Fakultäten: Fakultät für Psychologie und Pädagogik
• Sprache der Hochschulschrift: Englisch
• Datum der mündlichen Prüfung: 17. Februar 2025
• 1. Bericht­erstatter:in: Walper, Sabine