Research has shown that internationally adopted children have more behavioural problems during their primary school period than their classmates. This study helps to gain insight into the effects...Show moreResearch has shown that internationally adopted children have more behavioural problems during their primary school period than their classmates. This study helps to gain insight into the effects of a risk factor (stressful events) and a protective factor (socioeconomic status) on behavioural problems of adopted children. More specifically, the central question addressed in this study was: what are the effects of recent stressful events (0-2 years ago) and SES on behavioural problems of internationally adopted children at the age of both 7 and 14 years? The dataset used in this study (N = 74) is part of the Leiden Longitudinal Adoption Study. The children (26 boys and 48 girls) have been adopted at a very young age (M = 10.19 weeks) from Sri Lanka, South-Korea and Colombia. Using the Teacher Report Form (TRF), behavioural problems of the children at the age of 7 and 14 were measured. During these measurements stressful situations and SES were established. ANOVA’s were performed to determine the effects of these factors on behavioural problems. The results show that based on the data used in this study, there are no effects of stressful events and SES on behavioural problems of internationally adopted children. Stressful events is not a risk factor for adopted children having more behavioural problems. Socioeconomic status is not a protective factor for adopted children having less behavioural problems. This may be explained by the specific sample and the SES of the families (mostly middle class). Further research with a more varied research group and other research methods is recommended.Show less
