Variables Associated With Indiscriminate Friendliness Displayed by Chinese Adoptees in U.S. Families. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yanhong; Hazler, Richard J.
• Is Part Of: Family journal. Volume 25:Number 4(2017:Oct.)
• Page Start: 414
• Page End: 422
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: indiscriminate friendliness -- adoption -- attachment -- institutional care -- Chinese; Family psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Marital psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Family counseling -- Periodicals; Marriage counseling -- Periodicals; 616.8915605
• DOI: 10.1177/1066480717731345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1066-4807

Abstract

The study investigated potential variables associated with indiscriminate friendliness (IF) in children adopted from China by U.S. parents. Children in this study were adopted at a mean age of 19 months and have spent an average of 61 months with their adoptive parents. The sample comprised of 92 U.S. parents with children adopted from China. Children's age at the time of adoption, length of postadoption time, prior institutional care, and postadoption parenting by adoptive parents were investigated in association with IF. Findings showed that prior institutional care was significantly associated children's IF, whereas an increase in postadoption time shared with adoptive parents was not accompanied by a decrease in children's IF. The significant regression model explained 9% of variance in children's IF. Results provided practical implications for family counselors and other mental health professionals working with adoptive families.