Abstract

ABRINES, Neus et al. A direct comparison of girls adopted from China and Eastern Europe: anxiety, hyperactivity/impulsivity, inattention and defiant behaviours. Clínica y Salud [online]. 2012, vol.23, n.3, pp.261-269. ISSN 2174-0550.  https://dx.doi.org/10.5093/cl2012a17.

Previous research looking at adopted children has shown that children adopted from Eastern Europe (EE) are more likely to show inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity whereas girls adopted from China (CH) tend to have normative adjustment scores, although as they grow up, internalising behaviours might increase. We directly compare parental ratings of the SNAP-IV (Hyperactivity/Inattention) and SCARED (Anxiety) of girls adopted from CH (n = 42), EE (n = 34) and other countries (n = 32). EE were more likely to show inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and defiant behaviours than CH, independent of age at adoption and number of siblings. The age of the child only had a significant effect on defiant behaviours. No significant differences in anxiety were observed between groups. Overall anxiety levels were related to hyperactivity/impulsivity. Specific factors related to adoption in each region might account for differential levels in inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and defiant behaviours and should be taken into account to aid the adjustment of adoptees.

Keywords : intercountry adoption; China; Eastern Europe; anxiety; inattention; hyperactivity/impulsivity; defiant behaviours.

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