Genetic and Environmental Influences on Adult Life Outcomes: Evidence from the Texas Adoption Project March 9, 2009
Posted by krceli in : Research Review , trackbackThis study looks at the differences between adults adopted as infants and biological children of adoptive parents. A questionnaire was mailed to 1,228 people from 300 adoptive families who were participants in the Texas Adoption Project (Horn et al. 1979) over 30 years prior to the present study. Of the people asked to participate in the survey, 748 completed the questionnaire. Adoptive parents, adopted children (now adults,) and siblings of the adoptees (biological or not) were asked to rate the adoptee on five general dimensions. Some of these dimensions were academic achievement, closeness to parents during junior high and high school, adjustment during junior high and high school, recent personal problems, sociability, independence, conscientiousness, agreeableness, social responsibility, and four of the “Big Five” personality traits. The surveys from each group of responders were compared to assess the differences between biological children and adopted children in adoptive families and the role of genetics on life outcomes within these dimensions. Overall, the researchers found that biological children of adoptive parents have slightly more favorable life outcomes than adoptees. They also found that genes have a significant effects on life outcomes (some outcomes more than others.)
The researchers were very careful to point out the limitations of this study and to caution against taking any of the findings too seriously. They stress that the results only show a slight tendency for life outcomes to be less favorable for adopted children than for biological children. They also make a point to admit that the survey was only one page long, so the results for each of the dimensions are not necessarily precise. This being said, it is a bit disappointing that the survey was not longer. Though many limitations were discussed, future research directions were not. This study is very useful and informational, and gives us clues about the answers to questions that many researchers ponder over. Hopefully this study can be elaborated upon in the future.
Loehlin, J., Horn, J., Ernst, J. (2007) Genetic and Environmental Influences on Adult Life Outcomes: Evidence from the Texas Adoption Project. Behavior Genetics, 37, 3, 463-476.
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