Special needs of internationally adopted adolescents in 4 European receiving countries: Relation to mothers' adoption satisfaction. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, Laurie C.; Canzi, Elena; Ranieri, Sonia; Ferrari, Laura; Román, Maite; Cáceres, Isabel; Theie, Steinar; de Montclos, Marie-Odile Pérouse; Rygvold, Anne-Lise; Dalen, Monica; Palacios, Jesús; Rosnati, Rosa
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 137(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106471
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Highlights: 54% of international adoptees in France, Italy, Norway, and Spain had ≥ 1 special need. Learning disabilities (40%) and ADHD (30%) were most common. Patterns of special needs diagnoses differed in the 4 receiving countries. Mothers' adoption satisfaction was similar in all 4 receiving countries. Child ADHD, behavior/psychiatric issues related to lower mothers' adoption satisfaction. Abstract: Introduction: The extent and nature of SN among international adoptees at adolescence in different receiving countries (RC) has not been completely described, nor have differences between children of Eastern Europe (EE) and non-EE origin been fully assessed. Furthermore, the impact of SN on parent adoption satisfaction has not been systematically assessed or compared between RC. Aims: In 4 European RC (1) determine the prevalence and type of SN among internationally adopted adolescents, (2) compare these for children of EE and non-EE origin, (3) relate SN to mothers' adoption satisfaction. Methods: 685 mothers of internationally adopted adolescents in four different RC (France n = 246, Italy n = 322, Norway n = 60, Spain n = 57) completed on-line surveys including (a) child's medical, behavior, psychological, or school problems, (b) Pinderhughes' Adoption Satisfaction Questionnaire. Results: Mothers reported that 54% of the adolescents (58 %M, arrival age:53.53±40.35 months, current:14.98±1.70 years, 44% EE origin) had at least one SN. Learning disabilities were most common (40% of adolescents), followed by ADHD (30%), and medical issues (21%), but patterns differed by receiving country. Except for speech/language problems, the frequency of specific SN (developmental delay, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], behavior problems, learning disabilities, psychiatric issues, prenatal alcohol exposure) varied significantly between RC. The frequency of these conditions between children of EE and non-EE origin also varied by RC. Mothers' adoption satisfaction did not differ significantly between RC; the presence of ADHD, behavior and/or psychiatric problems consistently related to mothers' adoption satisfaction in all 4 RC. The relation to mothers' ASQ and the presence and number of SN was assessed by hierarchical linear regression, controlling for child demographic characteristics. Both the presence and number of SN negatively predicted mothers' adoption satisfaction. Child's age at adoption (and to a lesser extent, current age) also negatively predicted mothers' ASQ score. Conclusions: SN were relatively common among internationally adopted adolescents in 4 European RC, but the pattern of specific conditions and relationship to mothers' adoption satisfaction differed among RC. However, ADHD, behavioral and/or psychiatric problems consistently related to mothers' ASQ in all 4 RC. In regressions controlling for demographic characteristics, the presence of any SN and the number of SN related to mothers' adoption satisfaction. SN represent an additional stress on adoptive families; further work is needed to understand how differences in RC may impact post-adoption adjustment and experiences.