René A. C. Hoksbergen

The Development and Adjustment of 7-year-old Children Adopted in Infancy

The present study (N = 159) provides evidence of an increased risk for behavior problems of infant-placed 7-year-old internationally, transracially adopted children in the Netherlands. However, parents reported more behavior problems for adopted boys than for adopted girls. Notably, about 30% of the adopted children were classified as clinical on the CBCL scale for total problems, which is a much larger percentage than the 10% found in the normative population. It was suggested that these results could be explained by the operation of multiple risk factors before and after adoption placement, e.g. the childs genetic disposition, pre-natal and pre-adoption care, or the childs cognitive understanding of adoption in middle childhood. Also, results suggest that maternal sensitive responsiveness in adoptive families declines in the transition from early to middle childhood. In contrast to the home setting, the adopted children showed favorable behavioral and socioemotional adjustment at school, while their academic achievement and intelligence were in the normal range or above average. In particular Korean children had high IQs: 31% of these children obtained an intelligence score above 120. It was suggested that adoptive parents seem to offer their children sufficient or even more than average cognitive stimulation. Furthermore, adopted girls scored higher in optimal ego-control, social competence, and peer group popularity than nonadopted girls from the general population: 30% of the adopted girls were rated as popular by their classmates, which compares favorably to the 13% found in the general school population.

Attachment-based intervention in adoptive families in infancy and children's development at age 7: Two follow-up studies

In the present study we examined the longitudinal effects of an early attachment-based intervention on childrens social development, personality development, and incidence of behaviour problems at age 7. The behaviourally focused intervention was carried out in families with internationally, transracially adopted children placed before 6 months of age. The intervention was implemented during the childs first year of life in mixed families (i.e. adoptive families with biological children) and in all-adoptive families (i.e. adoptive families without biological children). In the small sample of mixed families (N = 35), we found delayed positive intervention effects at age 7 on ego-resiliency and optimal ego-control in girls, and on internalizing behaviour problems in both boys and girls. In all-adoptive families (N = 112), the intervention had been effective in changing maternal sensitive responsiveness, security of attachment, and infant exploratory competence in early childhood, but enduring intervention effects could not be traced at the childs age of 7.

Turmoil for Adoptees during their Adolescence

During the last two decades in the Netherlands foreign adoptions have increased compared to domestic adoptions. In this paper, research studies concerning causes and characteristics of problem behaviour of adopted adolescents are discussed. Adopted adolescents, in particular, face more emotional problems compared to their nonadopted peers, as evidenced in parent reports. However, on the basis of reports from adopted adolescents, coping with four of Havighurst’s developmental tasks is satisfactory. However, adopted adolescents report more feelings of insecurity and emotional tension concerning their gender experience with regard to their physical appearance compared to their Dutch peers. Based on the research reviewed and clinical experience at the Utrecht Adoption Centre, risk factors in adoption are summarised.

Adoption of romanian children in The Netherlands: behavior problems and parenting burden of upbringing for adoptive parents.

ABSTRACT. Seventy-two Dutch adoptive parents of 80 Romanian children completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Nijmegen Questionnaire for the Upbringing Situation (NQUS), and participated in a semistructured interview (response 83%). Thirty-four percent of the adopted children scored in the clinical range on Externalizing and 36 % on Total Problems scales. Significantly more children who were at least two years at placement and had stayed less than five years in the adoptive family received scores in the clinical range on almost all CBCL clinical clusters. Nevertheless, the adoptive parents judge their upbringing situation positive (NQUS).

Experiences of Dutch families who parent an adopted Romanian child.

ABSTRACT. The pilot phase of a longitudinal study of 83 children (response 86%) adopted from Romania is reported; the present status of the children is compared with the past status on the basis of parental recollection. At placement, the average age of the children was 2.9 years; at the time of the interview of the adoptive parents, the average age of the children was 6.8 years. At placement, 67% of the adoptive parents needed professional help, and 10% of the children were infected with Hepatitis B. Only 13% did not show any important psychosocial problems. The number of psychosocial problems reported by the parents at placement predicts 69% of the lag of development observed 4 years later; the age of arrival adds up to 72%. Most problems still exist 4 years after placement; however, no disruptions of the adoption have taken place yet.

Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder in Adopted Romanian Children Living in The Netherlands

Abstract The occurrence of symptoms of Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in eighty children adopted from Romania was studied. Their average age on arrival was 2.10 and at the start of this study 8 years. The 72 parent-couples (response 83%) were extensively interviewed and filled out the Dutch ADHD-questionnaire and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Twelve of the 80 participant children (15%, eleven boys and one girl) clearly showed symptoms of ADHD. In addition they exhibited more Externalizing Behavior (CBCL) than the remaining 68 children (75% vs. 25%). These 12 children more often attended special education than the others (67% vs. 25%). The ADHD children also showed less recovery over time. Ten of the twelve ADHD children also showed comorbidity, i.e., symptoms of posttraumatic stress reaction, post institutionalized autism and other behavioral disorders. The ADHD children needed more professional care than the remaining 68 children. Their parents, however, judged the received care more negatively than the Other parents.

Cross-cultural testing of intelligence

Insight is sought into the usefulness and comparability of an intelligence test for schoolchildren living in India and in the Netherlands. A Dutch test, the Revisie Amsterdamse Kinder Intelligentie Test (RAKIT), was adapted to the Indian situation (Indian Child Intelligence Test [ICIT]). Using the ICIT and the RAKIT, 612 Indian children and 1,007 Dutch children were tested, respectively. The average test scores for the ICIT group were lower in a number of subtests; however, coefficients of internal consistency and stability for the ICIT and RAKIT were satisfactory, varying from 0.84 to 0.94. Results of a factor analysis showed that both test batteries have a clear psychometric equivalence, making comparable test interpretations possible. Predictive validities for ICIT and RAKIT were high (0.56 and 0.48, respectively), with reading ability as a criterion.

Associations of Perceived Sibling and Parent-Child Relationship Quality With Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Comparing Indian and Dutch Early Adolescents

The aims of the present study were (a) to examine whether Dutch and Indian early adolescents differ concerning sibling and parent-child relationship quality and externalizing and internalizing problems, and (b) to compare the associations between sibling and parent-child relationship quality and externalizing and internalizing problems for Indian and Dutch early adolescents. Our sample consisted of 274 Dutch (mean age = 10.9 years) and 236 Indian early adolescents (mean age = 10.8 years). Questionnaires were administered in the final grades of 15 Dutch primary schools and six Indian English-language middle schools. Indian early adolescents reported more sibling warmth and parental negative interaction than Dutch early adolescents. However, associations between sibling and parent-child relationship quality and externalizing and internalizing problems were similar. Our study indicates that cross-cultural differences may exist in quality of sibling and parent-child relationships, but not in their impact on externalizing and internalizing problems. More cross-cultural research concerning family relationship quality and its impact on early adolescent psychosocial development is needed to confirm our findings.

Trauma Experienced by Children Adopted from Abroad

The concept of trauma is relevant for a number of children adopted from abroad. When diagnostic criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are applied to such children, research has shown that quite a few show symptoms consistent with PTSD. René Hoksbergen and Cor van Dijkum argue that adoptive parents and healthcare professionals should be familiar with behavioural and long-lasting difficulties which appear as sequelae of trauma and should be prepared to provide timely and appropriate intervention.

Adult Foreign Adoptees: Reactive Attachment Disorder May Grow into Psychic Homelessness

The heterogeneity of the group of adopted children does not allow to draw general conclusions about the nature and quantity of behavioral problems with adopted children. This nature and quantity depend on the chosen comparison group. Older foreign adoptees at placement often show complex physical and psychological problems. Many suffer from some kind of behavioral disturbances. Empirical data show that reactive attachment disorder (RAD) can often be diagnosed. The continuation of this disorder in adulthood will result in feelings of psychic homelessness. Examples are described to make clear what kind of behavioral problem it concerns. Research to select appropriate treatments for RAD and psychic homelessness is still lacking.