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Adverse Childhood Experiences of Children Adopted from Care: The Importance of Adoptive Parental Warmth for Future Child Adjustment

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  • Rebecca E. Anthony

    (Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, 1-3 Museum Place, Cardiff CF10 3BD, UK)

  • Amy L. Paine

    (School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK)

  • Katherine H. Shelton

    (School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK)

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and children’s internalising symptoms and externalising problems in the Wales Adoption Cohort Study, a prospective longitudinal study that used case file records ( n = 374) for a sample of British children adopted from care ( M = 2 years, 55% male). Parents ( n = 96) completed questionnaires at 3–5 months, 15–17 months, and 31–33 months post-placement. We hypothesised that: (1) children adopted from care would have experienced more ACEs than children in the general population; (2) the number of ACEs would be associated with higher internalising symptom and externalising problem scores; and (3) adoptive parental warmth would moderate the relationship between ACEs and post-placement internalising symptoms and externalising problems. Nearly half (42%) of the children experienced four or more ACEs. Internalising symptoms and externalising problems were significantly higher than the UK general population. The number of ACEs was associated with internalising symptoms 3 years post-adoptive placement but this relationship was moderated by adoptive parental warmth. This study profiles the experiences and characteristics of a national sample of adopted children and highlights the potential importance of parent warmth as a factor that ameliorates the impact of ACEs on poor child outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca E. Anthony & Amy L. Paine & Katherine H. Shelton, 2019. "Adverse Childhood Experiences of Children Adopted from Care: The Importance of Adoptive Parental Warmth for Future Child Adjustment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:12:p:2212-:d:242110
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tregeagle, Susan & Moggach, Lynne & Trivedi, Helen & Ward, Harriet, 2019. "Previous life experiences and the vulnerability of children adopted from out-of-home care: The impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and child welfare decision making," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 55-63.
    2. Balenzano, Caterina & Coppola, Gabrielle & Cassibba, Rosalinda & Moro, Giuseppe, 2018. "Pre-adoption adversities and adoptees' outcomes: The protective role of post-adoption variables in an Italian experience of domestic open adoption," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 307-318.
    3. Baker, Amy J.L. & Schneiderman, Mel & Licandro, Victoria, 2017. "Mental health referrals and treatment in a sample of youth in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 18-22.
    4. Anthony, Rebecca & Meakings, Sarah & Doughty, Julie & Ottaway, Heather & Holland, Sally & Shelton, Katherine H., 2016. "Factors affecting adoption in Wales: Predictors of variation in time between entry to care and adoptive placement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 184-190.
    5. Berlin, Marie & Vinnerljung, Bo & Hjern, Anders, 2011. "School performance in primary school and psychosocial problems in young adulthood among care leavers from long term foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(12), pages 2489-2497.
    6. Waid, Jeffrey & Alewine, Emily, 2018. "An exploration of family challenges and service needs during the post-adoption period," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 213-220.
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    1. Rebecca E. Anthony & Amy L. Paine & Katherine H. Shelton, 2019. "Depression and Anxiety Symptoms of British Adoptive Parents: A Prospective Four-Wave Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-14, December.

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