The psychological adaptation of international adult adoptees: post-adoption precursors

Psychological adaptation was examined in 993 Dutch internationally adopted adults (M= 38 years; 58% female) with a relatively high percentage of pre-adoption adversity, and the international adoptees were compared with their Dutch non-adopted peers and with Dutch domestic adoptees. Psychological adaptation was indicated by internalizing and externalizing problem behavior, and self-esteem. We found that the majority of the international adoptees were well adapted and showed even higher levels of self-esteem than their non-adopted peers from the general population. After controlling for the effects of the pre-adoption adversity, we found that international adoptees who reported a more negative appraisal of relinquishment and adoption, showed more feelings of loss, more negative coping strategies, and less optimal psychological adaptation. Whilst comparing the international and domestic adoptees, we found that the international adoptees showed a more positive appraisal of both...Show morePsychological adaptation was examined in 993 Dutch internationally adopted adults (M= 38 years; 58% female) with a relatively high percentage of pre-adoption adversity, and the international adoptees were compared with their Dutch non-adopted peers and with Dutch domestic adoptees. Psychological adaptation was indicated by internalizing and externalizing problem behavior, and self-esteem. We found that the majority of the international adoptees were well adapted and showed even higher levels of self-esteem than their non-adopted peers from the general population. After controlling for the effects of the pre-adoption adversity, we found that international adoptees who reported a more negative appraisal of relinquishment and adoption, showed more feelings of loss, more negative coping strategies, and less optimal psychological adaptation. Whilst comparing the international and domestic adoptees, we found that the international adoptees showed a more positive appraisal of both relinquishment and adoption than the domestic adoptees. Based on these findings, we suggest that both the appraisal of relinquishment and adoption and feelings of loss play a key role in the psychological adaption of adoptees. These insights should be used in the preparation of new adoptive parents and helping children to adapt to their new life environment and to prevent problems later in life. Furthermore, in treatment and psychological help, adult adoptees with problems might benefit from reflecting on the feelings of loss towards the biological parents and the feelings towards being relinquished and adopted.Show less

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The psychological adaptation of international adult adoptees: post-adoption precursors