In this study the role of negative early experiences in China prior to adoption of young children in the Netherlands was investigated. The goal of the study was to extract a clear picture from...Show moreIn this study the role of negative early experiences in China prior to adoption of young children in the Netherlands was investigated. The goal of the study was to extract a clear picture from reports given by adoptive parents, that can be used to prepare new adoptive parents for the possible consequences of negative early experiences and the potential problems and needs of their adopted child(ren) resulting from these experiences. The sample consisted of 987 adopted children (92% girls) who had an average age of 19 months upon arrival in the Netherlands. The primary caregiver was asked to fill in a questionnaire about their insight of possible negative experiences (such as malnutrition, neglect and maltreatment) before the adoption and about the effects on further physical and/or social-emotional development and physical and/or behavioural problems upon arrival. A large part (52.4%) of the adopted children with negative experiences, like malnutrition, social-emotional neglect, physical neglect and/or maltreatment, seemed to function quite well according to their parents. It was found, however, that Chinese adopted children with a background of negative early experiences are at greater risk of having physical and/or behavioural problems. The severity of the negative early experience and the age upon arrival in the Netherlands appear to play a distinct role: the children showed more problems when they were older than one year upon arrival and in case of serious adverse early experiences and multiple negative early experiences the children had more problems upon arrival. This study thus shows the importance of adoptive parents to be fully aware of the history of their Chinese adopted child in their anticipation of possible problems in physical, social-emotional and behavioural development.Show less
