“Behavioral outcomes for substance-exposed adopted children: Fourteen years postadoption.” March 26, 2009
Posted by aaandrad in : Uncategorized , trackbackThe prenatal development is very crucial in a child’s overall development. The decisions that the mother makes while pregnant can either benefit, or harm her expected child. In this study, the researchers take a closer look on the development of adopted children, and determine whether or not prenatal substance abuse has affected their life. This is a longitudinal study designed to observe these adopted children 14 years post-adoption. Since it is proven that many drugs can alter the cognitive development of the child, this child may struggle later in life academically, behaviorally, and socially. However, one of the most important factors in a child’s development is their lifestyle after birth.
As an adopting parent, it may be difficult to cope with having a child with disabilities, but if the family is prepared and knows the child’s history and medical background, they can provide a positive care giving environment. Having this outcome in mind could help to decrease the chances of adoption disruption. In the California Long-Range Adoption Study, the researchers performed a longitudinal study in which they observed a set of adopted children in 4 different waves. The different waves consisted observing the different behaviors of the children, the adopted parents, and the adopted family as a whole through a series of questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered 2, 4, 8, and 14 years post-adoption.
This study showed that the substance-exposed children showed more behavior problems, but in gradual time non-exposed children exhibited similar behavior. Additionally, similar behaviors remained stable amongst both groups. In my opinion, this study was a great way to show the long-term effects in exposed and non-exposed children. My expectations were somewhat wrong, as I thought that the exposed children would have more problems, but in actuality their development could change overtime depending on the environment in which they are raised. Regardless of my expectations, and the findings, I think it is important for a mother to take full responsibility in the development of her child, and do the best to make sure he/she turns out happy and healthy.
“Behavioral outcomes for substance-exposed adopted children: Fourteen years postadoption.” Crea, Thomas M.; Barth, Richard P.; Guo, Shenyang; Brooks, Devon; American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Vol 78(1), Jan 2008. pp. 11-19. [Journal Article]
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