ERIC Number: EJ1109900
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0300-4430
EISSN: N/A
International Adoptees as Teens and Young Adults: Family and Child Function
Matthews, Jessica A. K.; Tirella, Linda G.; Germann, Emma S.; Miller, Laurie C.
Early Child Development and Care, v186 n9 p1453-1465 2016
Many of the >339,000 international adoptees arriving in the USA during the last 25 years are now teenagers and young adults (YA). Information about their long-term social integration, school performance, and self-esteem is incomplete. Moreover, the relation of these outcomes to facets of family function is incompletely understood. We hypothesised that growth, development, and health at arrival would predict the social and academic success of YA adoptees, and that family flexibility would correlate with more favourable outcomes for family and teen. Arrival records of 88 international adoptees aged 15-25 years were reviewed. Adoptees and their parents completed a series of standardised questionnaires. Results showed that self-esteem was good, although 15% were anxious or unhappy. Family stress varied widely and was higher for families with adopted sons. Adoption satisfaction varied, and correlated to family coping skills, inversely to family stress, but not to age, development, behaviour, growth at arrival, gender, or to parental experience. Generally, family flexibility corresponded to more favourable outcomes.
Descriptors: Adoption, Adolescents, Young Adults, Social Integration, Academic Achievement, Self Esteem, Family Relationship, Correlation, Records (Forms), Questionnaires, Attitude Measures, Parent Attitudes, Psychological Patterns, Stress Variables, Family Environment, Gender Differences, Coping, Age Differences, Measures (Individuals), Children, Self Concept Measures, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Massachusetts
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Family Adaptability Cohesion Evaluation Scales; Piers Harris Childrens Self Concept Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A