title: A psychiatric follow-up study of adoptees.
abstract: This is a five year follow-up study of adopted children and adolescents. Thirty-five adoptees and 23 control subjects were assessed. Five years earlier, the initial sample consisted of 57 pairs of adoptees and controls. The study showed that both adopted and control subjects were improved at the follow-up assessment and that there were no significant differences in clinical diagnoses and social adaptation between the groups. Compared with the controls, the adoptees were scored higher on a behaviour scale (Revised Behavior Problem Checklist) by parents. Adoption by the sixth month of age was associated with better overall psychosocial functioning. Significantly more adoptees were not living with their adoptive families. Factors associated with outcome are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kotsopoulos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Copping
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coté
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stavrakaki
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology